Social and other specific services – public contracts
Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Northamptonshire Children's Trust
1 Angel Square
Northampton
NN11ED
UK
Contact person: NNC Procurement
E-mail: Procurement@northnorthants.gov.uk
NUTS: UKF24
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://nctrust.co.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Northamptonshire Children's Trust: Provision of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes for Children and Young People in our Care DPS (Reopening)
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Northamptonshire Children's Trust (hereafter referred to as the "Children's Trust") is re-opening their Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the supply of services in respect of this requirement.
This specification covers providing Homes for Children and Young People in Our Care, Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes.
The primary role of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes is to provide homes to ensure children in our care have a place that is safe and suitable for their individual needs, where they are supported by people who care for them and about them to achieve their full potential, develop resilience, enjoy good health and wellbeing and develop into adulthood.
The Children's Trust previously set up the DPS which commenced on 1st February 2024 with an initial term of 4 years and 2 months (i.e. to 31st March 2028), with an option to extend for up to an additional 3 years (until 31st March 2031).
Services will be categorised by the following lots that are described further in the specification:
Lot 1: Independent Fostering Agency placements for Children in Care
- Category 1.1 - Standard
- Category 1.2 - Enhanced
- Category 1.3 - Complex Needs
- Category 1.4 - Emergency
- Category 1.5 - Transition to Family Care from Children's Homes
- Category 1.6 - Parent and Child
Lot 2: Children's Homes placements for Children in Care
- Category 2.1 - Standard Homes
- Category 2.2 - Specialist Homes
- Category 2.3 - Complex Needs
- Category 2.4 - Emergency
Potential Providers can apply for one or more Lots and Categories.
Please note: this contract originally started on 1st February 2024.
The Light Touch Regime (LTR) applies to the Services under this DPS, as per Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
252 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.2) Description
Lot No: Lot 1: Independent Fostering Arrangements
II.2.1) Title
Lot 1: Independent Fostering Arrangements
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKF24
UKF25
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The primary role of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes is to provide homes to ensure children in our care have a place that is safe and suitable for their individual needs, where they are supported by people who care for them and about them to achieve their full potential, develop resilience, enjoy good health and wellbeing and develop into adulthood.
The Children's Trust previously set up the DPS which commenced on 1st February 2024 with an initial term of 4 years and 2 months (i.e. to 31st March 2028), with an option to extend for up to an additional 3 years (until 31st March 2031).
Services will be categorised by the following lots that are described further in the specification:
Lot 1: Independent Fostering Agency placements for Children in Care
- Category 1.1 - Standard
- Category 1.2 - Enhanced
- Category 1.3 - Complex Needs
- Category 1.4 - Emergency
- Category 1.5 - Transition to Family Care from Children's Homes
- Category 1.6 - Parent and Child
Potential Providers can apply for one or more Lots and Categories.
Please note: this contract originally started on 1st February 2024.
The Light Touch Regime (LTR) applies to the Services under this DPS, as per Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Lot No: Lot 2 - Children's Homes
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - Children's Homes
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKF24
UKF25
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The primary role of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes is to provide homes to ensure children in our care have a place that is safe and suitable for their individual needs, where they are supported by people who care for them and about them to achieve their full potential, develop resilience, enjoy good health and wellbeing and develop into adulthood.
The Children's Trust previously set up the DPS which commenced on 1st February 2024 with an initial term of 4 years and 2 months (i.e. to 31st March 2028), with an option to extend for up to an additional 3 years (until 31st March 2031).
Lot 2: Children's Homes placements for Children in Care
- Category 2.1 - Standard Homes
- Category 2.2 - Specialist Homes
- Category 2.3 - Complex Needs
- Category 2.4 - Emergency
Potential Providers can apply for one or more Lots and Categories.
Please note: this contract originally started on 1st February 2024.
The Light Touch Regime (LTR) applies to the Services under this DPS, as per Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
27/11/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Submission address and any special instructions
The Council is utilising an electronic tendering tool to manage this procurement process. All documents and communications issued by the Council Procurement Team can be accessed via the Council's e-Procurement portal, ProContract.
The Council require any potential organisation to submit their interest via the Council's e-procurement portal, ProContract. The link is below:
https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
ProContract Reference ID: DN831815
The deadline for submission of bids is 12:00pm on Friday, 27 November 2026
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
30/10/2026