Children's Home Collaborative Project Framework

West Sussex County Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for the "Children’s Home Collaborative Project Framework". The initiative targets the health and social work services industry, specifically focusing on children's residential care solutions in the UK, particularly in the West Sussex region. The council is organising an online market engagement session on 23rd October 2025 to discuss the project's vision, commissioning approach, and indicative timescales.

Although this session does not mark the commencement of the procurement procedure, it offers stakeholders a platform to share insights on service models and market capacity. Interested parties are encouraged to confirm participation by emailing Children's Home Collaborative by the due date, 23rd October 2025. The procurement process is being structured to align with the Procurement Act 2023 and is designed with a framework agreement in mind, covering a period starting from 24th April 2026 to 23rd April 2031, with potential extensions until 2035.

The "Children’s Home Collaborative Project Framework" presents significant opportunities for growth to Ofsted-registered and prospective children's home providers, particularly those capable of delivering local, safe, sustainable, and high-quality care for children and young people. This tender is suitable for SMEs and VCSEs looking to establish or expand a presence in the health and social work services sector. The project's total estimated value is £79,000,000, indicating notable scale and investment in the sector.

Engaging in this process could provide businesses with long-term contracts and a chance to collaborate directly with West Sussex County Council in shaping future care models, accommodating approximately 30 service users in West Sussex. Businesses interested in supporting residential care in and around West Sussex are encouraged to participate actively in the market engagement phase for potential future opportunities.