---
title: "Homecare and Domiciliary Services Framework"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0793b6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0793b6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0793b6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0793b6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "Westmorland and Furness Council"
published: "2026-10-30"
---

# Homecare and Domiciliary Services Framework

Buyer: Westmorland and Furness Council  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0793b6

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## Summary

Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking providers for a framework covering homecare and domiciliary care and support for adults in their own homes and communities across Westmorland and Furness. Services are intended to help people live safely, independently and fulfil their chosen outcomes, while supporting health and wellbeing, dignity, choice and control. Providers will work alongside individuals, carers, families, communities, health partners and the Council. The framework is the Council’s main route for commissioning these services and replaces its existing homecare arrangements. The procurement is for health and social care services (CPV 85000000). The framework can also be used by Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board.

The Council invited tenders through an open procedure for one lot, using a framework with competition reopened for later contracts. The tender submission deadline was 30 November 2026 at 14:00 UTC; the deadline for questions was 20 November 2026 at 14:00 UTC. The framework is due to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2032, with an optional two-year extension, and may extend to 31 March 2034. Its stated value is £206.5 million. Bids are assessed on quality, weighted at 100%. Applications must be submitted electronically through The Chest and completed in line with the tender instructions. Existing framework providers must apply afresh; current membership does not transfer automatically. Successful providers are expected to begin delivering services from 1 April 2027.

This opportunity suits homecare providers with the qualifications, experience and operational capability to deliver safe, effective, person-centred care in people’s homes. Providers will need to show that they can promote independence and self-determination, improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, and prevent or delay the need for long-term care. The service also calls for responsive, high-quality delivery that respects dignity, choice and control, and makes practical use of community resources and technology. Strong submissions should demonstrate the staffing, governance and operational arrangements needed for reliable service delivery, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with individuals, carers, families, communities, health partners and the Council. Small and medium-sized businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises are identified as suitable applicants. The framework offers a route to compete for commissioned homecare work over a sustained period.

## Notice

Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced providers for inclusion on its new Homecare Framework, which will commence in April 2027. The Framework will be the Council's primary commissioning route for the provision of domiciliary care and support services across the area for an anticipated period of five years. The new Framework will replace the current Homecare Framework arrangements. Membership of the existing Framework will not automatically transfer to the new Framework and all providers wishing to continue delivering commissioned Homecare services on behalf of the Council will be required to submit a new application and successfully meet the requirements of this procurement process. Given the anticipated five-year duration of the Framework, and the limited opportunities available for providers to join or be reassessed during its term, the Council strongly encourages all interested providers to regard this procurement exercise as a significant strategic opportunity. Providers should ensure that adequate time, resources and attention are dedicated to preparing and submitting a comprehensive, high-quality response that clearly demonstrates their ability to meet the Council's requirements and deliver safe, effective and person-centred Homecare services. The Council is committed to establishing a Framework of high-performing providers with a vision that adults who require care and support are enabled to live safe, healthy, independent and fulfilling lives within their own homes and communities for as long as possible. The Provider shall work alongside individuals, carers, families, communities, health partners and the Council to deliver services that: * Promote independence and self-determination. * Improve health and wellbeing. * Reduce loneliness and social isolation. * Prevent, reduce and delay the need for long-term care. * Enable people to achieve outcomes that matter to them. * Promote choice, dignity and control. * Make best use of community resources and technology. * Deliver safe, responsive and high-quality services. * Contribute to a resilient and sustainable care market.

### Planning Information

As part of the Preliminary Market Engagement process, a Microsoft Teams meeting was held on 24 September 2026 with current Framework Providers. Any providers unable to attend were provided with the information shared at the meeting via email, as set out below:
Homecare Framework 2027
Key Messages for Existing Homecare Providers
1. New Framework Commences 1 April 2027
• The current Homecare Framework will end on 31 March 2027.
• A new Framework will commence on 1 April 2027.
• Existing membership of the current Framework will not automatically be
transferred to the new Framework.
2. All Existing Providers Should Apply
• All providers wishing to continue delivering commissioned Homecare services from 1 April 2027 will need to submit a new application.
• Existing Framework status and historic performance will not guarantee
acceptance onto the new Framework.
3. Application Window Will Be Limited
• Providers should carefully monitor procurement communications and The Chest portal throughout October and November 2026.
• Applications will only be accepted during specified procurement windows.
• Late applications will not be accepted.
• Questions regarding the procurement process should be raised through the appropriate procurement channels during the tender period.
4. Importance of Submission Quality
• Providers should allocate sufficient time and resources to complete the tender documentation.
• Providers should not assume that previous submissions remain suitable.
5. Greater Competition in the Market
• Providers should expect significant competition from both existing and new market entrants.
• High-quality responses will be essential.
6. Consequences of Not Applying
• Providers that choose not to apply, or whose applications are unsuccessful, will not be able to receive new packages through the Framework.
• There may not be another opportunity to join for approximately 18-24
months, subject to future commissioning requirements.
• Providers should consider the impact that not securing a place on the
Framework may have on future business growth opportunities within Westmorland and Furness.
7. Limited Opportunities for Reassessment
• Following implementation of the new Framework, opportunities for re-entry or reassessment are not anticipated until a further application window is opened, which is expected to be approximately 18-24 months later.
• Providers should therefore treat this procurement exercise as a significant opportunity.
8. Readiness for Mobilisation
• Successful providers will be expected to deliver services from 1 April 2027.
• Providers should ensure they have appropriate staffing, governance and
operational arrangements in place.
Summary
The new Framework will be the primary route through which Westmorland and Furness Council commissions Homecare services from April 2027. Existing membership of the current Framework will not automatically be transferred to the new arrangements and all providers wishing to continue delivering commissioned Homecare services will need to submit a new application. Given the anticipated five-year duration of the Framework and the limited opportunities for re-entry or reassessment, providers are strongly encouraged to treat this procurement exercise as a significant strategic opportunity and ensure that sufficient time and resources are dedicated to producing the highest quality submission possible.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103021-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 30 Oct 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 30 Nov 2026 |
| Future notice date | 30 Oct 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £206,500,000 |
| Lots value | £206,500,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Westmorland and Furness Council |
| Locality | KENDAL |
| Postcode area | Lancaster |
| Postcode | LA9 4DQ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD1 Cumbria |
| ITL 3 | TLD14 Westmorland and Furness |
| Local authority | Westmorland and Furness |
| Electoral ward | Kendal Strickland and Fell |
| Westminster constituency | Westmorland and Lonsdale |
| Delivery location | TLD12 East Cumbria |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 30 Oct 2026 at 10:16 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103021-2026
- 29 Oct 2026 at 14:44 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/102712-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103021-2026
  30th October 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/102712-2026
  29th October 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.the-chest.org.uk/

## Notice URLs

- http://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0793b6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0793b6.json.