Care Voids

Durham County Council has recently completed a procurement process under the title "Care Voids", which focuses on managing care void payments to maintain staffing levels when vacancies occur. This procurement falls under the services category within the health and social work services industry, specifically in the UKC14 region. The procurement method was direct, operating below the threshold without competition, and falls under a light-touch regime.

The tender reached its award stage with the awarding of the contract to The Oaklea Trust on 31st March 2025. The contract period is set from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2027, with a gross value of £38,880. This procurement presents opportunities for large service providers in health and social care, particularly those capable of handling vacancies and maintaining required staffing levels.

Businesses that specialise in managing care staffing logistics and have experience engaging with sub-central government authorities are well-suited to compete in similar tenders in the future. Engaging in this type of tender can lead to significant growth through long-term contracts that secure stable revenue streams and strengthen partnerships with local authorities.