Northamptonshire Children’s Trust: Provision of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children’s Homes for Children and Young People in our Care DPS (Reopening)

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is reopening its Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for providers delivering independent fostering arrangements and children’s homes for children and young people in its care. The opportunity aims to secure safe, suitable placements that meet individual needs and support children to achieve their full potential, develop resilience, maintain good health and wellbeing, and prepare for adulthood.

Providers can apply for one or more lots and categories under the DPS.

Service Lots

The opportunity is divided into two lots:

Lot 1: Independent Fostering Arrangements

• 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

• Category 2.1 – Standard Homes
• Category 2.2 – Specialist Homes
• Category 2.3 – Complex Needs
• Category 2.4 – Emergency

Providers may apply for one or more lots and categories, depending on the services they can deliver.

Service Requirements

The DPS covers the provision of independent fostering placements and children’s homes for children and young people in care across West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire.

Providers are expected to offer safe and suitable homes tailored to each child’s individual needs. Placements should provide support from people who care about the children and help them to:

• Achieve their full potential.
• Develop resilience.
• Enjoy good health and wellbeing.
• Develop the skills and support needed to transition into adulthood.

The opportunity includes standard, enhanced, specialist, complex-needs and emergency placement categories, as well as parent-and-child placements and transitions from children’s homes to family care.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Northamptonshire Children’s Trust
• Estimated contract value: £252,000,000 excluding VAT
• Original DPS commencement date: 1 February 2024
• Initial term: Until 31 March 2028
• Extension option: Up to a further three years, until 31 March 2031
• Submission deadline: 27 November 2026 at 12:00pm
• Procedure: Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) reopening
• Applicable regime: Light Touch Regime under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015
• Reference: DN831815
• Submission portal: ProContract

The opportunity covers services across West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire. The stated contract value relates to the overall DPS.

Supplier Requirements

Organisations interested in providing independent fostering arrangements or children’s homes must submit an expression of interest through the Council’s ProContract e-procurement portal.

Providers can apply for one or more lots and categories. Applications and procurement communications must be submitted electronically through ProContract.

Further eligibility conditions, registration requirements and supporting documentation are not disclosed in the notice and should be checked in the procurement documents.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria and weightings are not disclosed in the published notice. Providers should consult the procurement documents on ProContract for the assessment requirements and application process.

Commercial Relevance

This £252 million DPS reopening presents a substantial opportunity for independent fostering agencies and children’s home providers operating across Northamptonshire. It covers a broad range of placement needs, including standard, specialist, complex-needs and emergency provision. Providers with the appropriate services may apply for one or more categories, potentially widening their access to placement opportunities through the DPS.

Interested organisations should review the full procurement documents and submit their applications before the 27 November 2026 deadline.

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