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Summary, notice description and lot information
Kent County Council is seeking tenders for the "CN250238 - Homecare" procurement process, focusing on delivering high-quality homecare and community support services. The procurement is focused on the Health and social work services category, and services will be provided within Kent, including specific provisions for prison settings. This open tender is aimed at establishing the First Kent Homecare Open Framework, part of a broader scheme, valued at approximately £172 million over an expected eight-year term.
Key dates include the submission deadline for tenders, which is set for 16th July 2026, following an enquiry period ending on 9th July 2026. The process is currently at the tender stage, employing an "open competitive" procurement method under the "light touch" regime, consistent with the Procurement Act 2023. This procurement process offers substantial opportunities for CQC-registered homecare providers aiming to expand their services within Kent.
Suitable businesses include those capable of delivering safe, personalised, and responsive care tailored to individual needs, particularly those specialising in Health and social work services. Opportunities exist for providers of adult homecare, community support services for children, and care in prison settings, allowing for partnerships that enhance client wellbeing and independence. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged, as they can compete for multiple lots, each fostering a collaborative and client-focused care approach central to the tender's success criteria.
The framework's flexible nature allows for provider growth and adaptation over its duration.
Lot 1 Homecare for Adult Services provides practical, day-to-day to care and support to help Individuals over the age of 18 years of age remain safe, independent, and well in their own homes. It covers essential personal care tasks such as washing, dressing, grooming, continence care and oral hygiene and helps those who require assistance with personal daily living activities but do not require clinical interventions delivered by health professionals. Successful Tenderers admitted to this Lot may support with medication prompting and other basic health related tasks where these are ancillary to social care needs, while all clinical or prescribed treatments remain the responsibility of NHS services. The lot also includes assistance with nutrition and hydration, meal preparation, and help with eating and drinking, alongside evening and night settling routines. Wider support extends to safeguarding awareness, community access, essential errands, and maintaining a habitable home environment through light domestic tasks carried out as part of a regulated care call. Carers are expected to follow all manual handling and equipment plans and to identify early signs of health deterioration, ensuring timely referrals to health professionals and notifications to the Council. Tenderers are referred to the First Kent Homecare Open Framework documentation for full details.
Lot 1 Additional Service - Care and Support in the Prison Setting delivers essential personal care and support to Prisoners within the Sheppey Prison Cluster (HMP Elmley, HMP Standford Hill, HMP Swaleside) and the Additional Prisons (HMP Maidstone and HMP Sutton Park), helping Individuals to maintain independence and dignity whilst in custody. The service focuses on regulated social care tasks aligned to assessed Care Act needs, including personal care, mobility support, nutrition, continence care, and safe daily living, delivered exclusively as doublehanded care to ensure safety and compliance within a secure environment. Care/Support Workers must complete full HMPPS vetting and prison-specific training, operate within restricted access times, and work in close partnership with the Council's Social Care Prison Team and the onsite Healthcare Supplier, who remain responsible for clinical and medical tasks. The successful Tenderer will be required to deliver up to 98 block hours of care each week and the service supports continuity, safety, and wellbeing under highly controlled conditions and ensures that vulnerable Adults in custody receive the same standard of social care as those in the community. Only Tenderers who are successfully admitted to the First Kent Homecare Open Framework for Lot 1 - Homecare for Adult Services and have complied with the requirements of the Invitation to Tender documentation (including expressing an interest in providing the Additional Service - Care and Support in a Prison Setting), will be able to participate in any mini-competition or direct for this service conducted in accordance with the First Kent Homecare Open Framework. The Council intends that a single block contract is awarded to one Supplier by either mini competition or direct award. The anticipated value of the Lot 1 Additional Service - Care and Support in a Prison Setting is PS250,238 ([inclusive] of VAT). The Lot 1 value stated in this Tender Notice is the combination of the Lot 1 Homecare for Adult Services and the Lot 1 Additional Service - Care and Support in a Prison Setting.
Lot 2 - Community Support Services for Children provides personalised, flexible care and community-based support for Disabled Children and Young People aged 0-18, enabling them to live safely at home, develop skills, and participate fully in family and community life. The service includes regulated personal care, delegated health tasks, behaviour support, support with daily routines, and assistance with accessing education, leisure, and community activities. Support is delivered across three levels - Standard, Complex, and Crisis based on assessed need, and may include daytime, evening, weekend, or overnight provision. Tenderers are required to deliver Standard and Complex support as a minimum to be eligible to be admitted to the First Kent Homecare Open Framework. Tenderers must deliver care in line with each child's Child/Young Person Plan, operate within CQC regulatory requirements for Disabled Children and Young People's personal care, and work closely with families, Social Workers, schools, and health professionals to promote independence, safeguard wellbeing, and achieve meaningful outcomes. The service places the child's voice, dignity, and aspirations at the centre of planning, and plays a key role in early intervention, preventing family breakdown, and preparing young people effectively for adulthood. Tenderers are referred to the First Kent Homecare Open Framework documentation for full details.
Notice type, method, and CPV codes
Financial information and value estimates
The contract period is two years.
Publication, submission, and award timeline
Current status of tender, lots, awards, and contracts
Buyer organisation and contact details
Supplier who was awarded this contract
External resources and data downloads
The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector.
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