Therapeutic Support for Children in Care

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board has initiated a procurement process for a service titled "Therapeutic Support for Children in Care," within the health services industry category. Located in Preston, United Kingdom, this procurement falls under the services category and is at the tender update stage as of 7 January 2026. The process involves amendments to a previously published corrigendum notice, with the most recent amendment specifying corrections to details relating to the award of the contract.

The contract, previously awarded on 20 March 2025, began on 1 April 2025 and is set to conclude on 31 March 2027, carrying an overall value of £547,524. This initiative was undertaken using a direct award process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, bypassing the usual Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or Procurement Act 2023. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in therapeutic services, particularly those experienced in working with children in care.

Businesses that can demonstrate excellence in delivering high-quality health services, innovation, and a strong record of service integration and collaboration would be well-suited to compete. The contract provides avenues for growth by extending existing service provisions to meet new requirements under a stable, publicly funded framework. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with capabilities in enhancing social value, improving access, and reducing health inequalities may find additional scope for expanding their service offerings as part of this initiative.

The procurement method applied, which does not involve the publication of a call for competition, suggests that existing service providers maintaining consistent quality may have competitive advantages.