Provision of Community Short Breaks for Children with Disabilities and their Families in Bedford Borough 2026

Bedford Borough Council is currently in the planning stage for the procurement of community short breaks for children with disabilities and their families within the Bedford Borough. This process, identified as tender BBC CH 04069, focuses on providing services designed to support children and young people (CYP) with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) by offering short breaks. These services aim to contribute positively to the personal, social, and emotional development of CYP while also providing respite for their families.

The procurement falls under the services category, with specific classifications including daycare and social services. A market engagement event will take place on 15th December 2025 at Borough Hall in Bedford, serving as a platform for discussing the recommissioning process and inviting innovative insights from current and prospective providers. The procurement schedule aims to have contracts in place by April 2026 when current contracts end.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in education and care services for children with disabilities. It is well-suited for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary and community sector enterprises (VCSEs) due to the suitability criteria outlined in the procurement process. Businesses that provide high-quality daycare and social services, especially those with experience working with CYP with SEND, can benefit from engaging in this procurement.

By participating, organisations can contribute to a valued community service, supporting families and young people in Bedford, while expanding their service offerings in line with local government needs.