Market Engagement Event Follow Up for SEND Short Breaks and Personal Care Services for Children in the Bradford District

The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (the Council) is working with Bradford Children and Families Trust and partners from across the system to transform Short Break Services for children with disabilities or complex health needs and special educational needs. As part of this transformation the Council intends to recommission SEND Short Breaks and Personal Care services for children through the development of an 8 year Open Framework. A previous Market Engagement Event was held by the Council on 6th November 2025 13.30-14.30 on MS Teams.

Following feedback from this event, we have refined the plans for the framework and would like to hold a bidders information event to support providers to understand the process. This will include how to apply to join the framework and the arrangements for the call off process for commissioning of individual packages and block arrangements. This event will take place on 15th January 2025 14.00-15.00.

Please send a message through the messaging facility on YORtender and also childrenscommissioning@bradford.gov.uk .You will be provided with the link. Please visit YORtender, where you will find the slides from the previous event, now updated with an indicative procurement timeline. We would be grateful if providers could also complete a survey indicating your area of interest and which Lots you are likely to apply for (YORtender) Lots The Lots and indicative values (excluding VAT) are included below.

It is important to note that the value of each Lot exceeds the budget available as flexibility will be required to respond to the individual needs of children across the lifetime of the framework. This work represents a significant transformation with an increased emphasis on activity-based short breaks. The indicative maximum value of the Lots reflects this and the degree to which regulated / unregulated services will be utilised i.e. the volume of activity within Lots 2 and 3 will be subject to variation.

Lot 1: Personal Care Services for Children with Disabilities or Complex Health Needs (Regulated by CQC) These are specialist services designed for children and young people who have been identified as requiring an individual package of support for their personal care by providers who are registered with the regulatory body CQC. The maximum annual indicative value of this Lot is PS722,680. The current projected annual spend for 25/6 is PS578,144.

Lot 2: Short Break Activities for Children with Disabilities, Special Education Needs and/or Complex Health Needs (Regulated by CQC and/or Ofsted) These services provide a range of specialist and targeted short break services to children and young people with disabilities and or special educational needs, to enable them to access fulfilling, fun and interesting experiences, giving them opportunities to develop lasting friendships and life skills that will support them throughout their adult lives (see Bradford district's Short Breaks Statement | Bradford Council). Activities may take place in the community, provider settings or within settings such as special schools or Family Hubs etc. Children accessing this type of support may need for support with personal care whilst attending activities, therefore requiring providers to be Ofsted or CQC registered (see Statutory guidance on how to safeguard and promote the welfare of disabled children using short breaks). The age of the child, length of time and frequency of support to be delivered will also determine whether the service requires Ofsted registration.

Unless they care for at least one child for over 2 hours per day providers cannot register, unless it is immediately before or after school. Providing childcare and the 2-hour rule - GOV.UK. The maximum annual indicative value of this Lot is PS1,690,658.

The current projected annual spend for 25/6 is PS1,416,196. It should be noted that it is anticipated that there will be a significant increase in activity based provision within this Lot. Lot 3: Short Break Activities for Children with Disabilities, Special Education Needs and/or Complex health Needs (Non-regulated) These services provide a range of targeted short break services to children and young people with disabilities and or special educational needs, to enable them to access fulfilling, fun and interesting experiences, giving them opportunities to develop lasting friendships and life skills that will support them throughout their adult lives (see Bradford district's Short Breaks Statement | Bradford Council) Activities may take place in provider settings or community settings such as special schools or Family Hubs etc. The maximum annual indicative value of this Lot is PS541,000 The current projected annual spend for 25/6 for activity that would be included in this Lot is PS36,604.

It should be noted that it is anticipated that there will be a significant increase in unregulated activity based provision in line with the proposed transformation during the lifetime of the framework. It is strongly recommended that all prospective providers complete the Microsoft Questionnaire link below prior to the tender going live. This is designed to provide the Service with all relevant background information regarding the current delivery of services by your organisation.

The survey link will close at 17:30 GMT on 16th January 2026. Market Engagement SEND Short Breaks Open Framework Bradford - Collaboration