CBC-1985-FW-SK – Supported Accommodation for Care Experienced Young People 16+ Framework (ITT)

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking providers for a new Light Touch Open Framework covering supported accommodation for care experienced young people and young people seeking sanctuary aged 16 and over.

The framework will provide supported accommodation and associated support for young people aged 16–17 who are Looked After, Care Experienced or Separated Migrant Children. The requirement also includes placements made under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).

Providers will be expected to deliver safe, effective and outcome-focused services that promote young people’s independence, wellbeing and positive life opportunities.

The framework has an estimated total value of £17.92 million excluding VAT and will initially operate for three years, with the potential for two further one-year extensions.

Service Requirements

The framework will cover supported accommodation and support for care experienced young people and young people seeking sanctuary aged 16+.

Providers must demonstrate appropriate staffing, safeguarding arrangements and operational capability, alongside relevant experience in delivering the required services.

The procurement is divided into four lots, with suppliers able to tender for one or more. Appointment to each lot will be assessed independently against the Framework Admission Criteria and published evaluation methodology.

Lots Available

Lot 1 – Placements with 24/7 staffing in Central Bedfordshire

Supported accommodation and support services for care experienced young people and young people seeking sanctuary aged 16+, with 24/7 staffed placements located within Central Bedfordshire.

Lot 2 – Placements with 24/7 staffing in Bedford, Luton, Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and/or Northamptonshire

Supported accommodation and support services with 24/7 staffing across the specified surrounding areas.

Lot 3 – PACE placements within Central Bedfordshire

Accommodation placements within Central Bedfordshire for young people requiring accommodation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

Lot 4 – PACE placements within Bedford, Milton Keynes, Luton, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire

PACE accommodation placements across the specified areas outside Central Bedfordshire.

Framework Information

The framework will initially appoint a maximum of 25 suppliers to each lot.

Central Bedfordshire Council reserves the right to reopen the framework during its term and admit additional providers. Where it is reopened, no more than 10 additional suppliers may be appointed to an individual lot at any one time.

Call-off contracts under the framework will be awarded with competition, and the framework may only be used by the establishing authority.

No supplier fee will be charged for participation in the framework.

Contract Information

Buyer: Central Bedfordshire Council

Deadline: 21 September 2026, 12:00pm

Enquiry Deadline: 7 September 2026, 5:00pm

Contract Value: £17,916,666.67 excluding VAT / £21,500,000 including VAT

Delivery Length: 1 February 2027 to 31 January 2030, with up to two one-year extensions available to 31 January 2032

Tender Link: Central Bedfordshire Council In-Tend portal

Reference: CBC-1985-FW-SK –

Estimated Award Decision Date: 9 November 2026

Tender responses must be submitted electronically through the “My Return” section of the Council’s In-Tend system. Submissions made by email, post or through the portal’s correspondence facility will not be accepted.

Evaluation Criteria

Framework submissions will be evaluated using the following weightings:

• Quality – 60%
• Price – 40%

Quality submissions will be assessed against the published Quality Award Criteria and Framework Admission Criteria, while prices will be assessed in accordance with the Pricing Schedule and evaluation methodology contained within the procurement documents.

Ofsted and Provider Requirements

Providers must hold valid Ofsted registration under the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023.

Suppliers must also demonstrate sufficient legal and financial capacity, including satisfactory financial standing, appropriate insurance and compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Technical requirements include relevant experience, suitable staffing arrangements, safeguarding measures and sufficient operational capability to deliver supported accommodation for the young people covered by the framework.

The Council has identified provider capacity, staffing, safeguarding, regulatory compliance, accommodation availability and business continuity as key contract risks. Suppliers will therefore need appropriate controls and mitigation arrangements.

Procurement Procedure

The opportunity is being conducted through an Open procedure under the Light Touch regime and has been identified as particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The framework represents a significant opportunity for Ofsted-registered supported accommodation providers working with care experienced young people and young people seeking sanctuary, with provision spanning Central Bedfordshire and several surrounding areas and including both 24/7 staffed accommodation and PACE placements.

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