ITT for Cafcass new service called Enabling Family Time reference CAF592-25

The procurement process for Cafcass's new service, "Enabling Family Time," is currently in the tender stage. This initiative is aimed at providing health and social work services across England, specifically focusing on supporting families in private law family court proceedings. With the commissioning led by Cafcass on behalf of the Ministry of Justice, this contract replaces the current Improving Child and Family Arrangements (ICFA) service.

Interested suppliers are required to hold NACCC Enhanced accreditation and Cyber Essentials certification. The procurement, following an open procedure, currently seeks bids before the deadline on 2nd February 2026, with service delivery to begin on 1st May 2026. The contract, potentially renewable, is set to run until 30th April 2029, covering regions inclusive of the UKC, UKD, UKE, UKF, UKG, UKH, UKI, UKJ, and UKK.

The initial award period begins immediately post-tender on 2nd February 2026. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in family support services, particularly those adept in family counselling and child welfare. Given the requirement for NACCC Enhanced accreditation and Cyber Essentials certification, organisations with these credentials are well-positioned to succeed.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) entities could benefit by leveraging their specialized knowledge and agility to provide tailored family support interventions. The open framework allows for the addition of further providers in subsequent openings, increasing the capacity for diverse providers to contribute to the overarching goal of improving family time dynamics in the UK through this robust service framework. The service's alignment with the Pathfinder project offers participating businesses a chance to be involved in pioneering a structured approach to enhancing child and family arrangements.