Short Breaks Services Framework (CSC25128)

Worcestershire County Council is establishing an open framework of qualified and experienced suppliers to provide short breaks for children and young people with disabilities, SEND and complex needs in Worcestershire. The framework is intended to improve the availability of suitable support and create a list of approved suppliers. There is no stated limit on the number of suppliers that may join.

Individual work will be awarded later through call-off procedures, with or without reopening competition. The opportunity has four active lots. Lot 1 is Overnight Fostering Short Breaks in the home of an approved foster carer and has an estimated value of £2,000,000 excluding VAT.

Lot 2 is Overnight Residential Short Breaks in a registered children's home and is valued at £2,000,000 excluding VAT. Lot 3 is Domiciliary Care, including one-to-one or two-to-one support for children and young people aged 0 to 18 with SEND in their own homes, and is valued at £2,920,000 excluding VAT.

Lot 4 is Short Breaks Support Workers, providing support at home and access to community activities, and is valued at £7,600,000 excluding VAT. The total estimated value is £14,520,000 excluding VAT and £17,424,000 including VAT. The structured notice gives a current contract period from 1 March 2027 to 31 October 2034 for Lots 1, 3 and 4.

Lot 2 runs from 1 March 2027 to 31 October 2030. The notice also explains that the initial open framework for Lots 1 and 2 had a start date of 1 November 2026, that these lots are open again for new applications, and that Lots 3 and 4 move from the existing Dynamic Purchasing System to the framework on 1 March 2027.

All lots are expected to reopen at least annually in the autumn. The buyer describes the opportunity as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises. Applicants must be qualified and experienced for the relevant service.

Lot 1 delivery must use an approved foster carer and meet applicable regulatory standards. Lot 2 delivery is within a registered children's home. The single-stage invitation to tender assesses the Procurement Specific Questionnaire and a Quality Questionnaire that includes Social Value.

The public notice does not state numerical award weightings, so applicants should use the complete procurement documents for the detailed scoring method. Clarification questions closed at 4:00 pm GMT on 28 October 2026. Tender submissions close at 4:00 pm GMT on 16 November 2026.

To bid, suppliers must use Worcestershire County Council's In-Tend e-procurement portal. The portal requires a company or organisation to register, wait for approval and login details, view the opportunity, express interest, access the documents and submit the completed response electronically before the deadline.