AT1299 - Provision for Children looked after

Luton Council, along with Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedford Borough Council, and Hertfordshire County Council (the Partnership Authorities), has completed the procurement process for the provision of independent fostering placements in Bedfordshire under a Pan Bedfordshire contract arrangement. The contract, titled "AT1299 - Provision for Children looked after," falls under the Social work and related services category (CPV code: 85300000), and covers the entire region of England. This procurement was carried out using an open procedure, and the total contract value is £118,000,000.

The tender stage concluded on 17 February 2025, and the contract period spans from 1 April 2025 to 1 April 2035. This tender creates vast opportunities for businesses specialising in social work and fostering services to establish and expand their operations within the Bedfordshire region. SMEs and VCSEs (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises) are particularly well-suited to compete given the procurement's suitability criteria.

The wide-reaching collaboration amongst multiple local authorities demonstrates a significant demand for these services, offering long-term business growth and stability for potential suppliers. Multiple suppliers have been awarded, including notable entities like Active Care Solutions Limited, Alliance Foster Care, and The National Fostering Agency Ltd, providing a competitive yet lucrative market for fostering service providers.