Residential Therapeutic (APoC) Provision for Children and Young People

Wirral Council is seeking providers to deliver an Appropriate Place of Care (APoC) residential and therapeutic provision for children and young people across Cheshire and Merseyside. The contract has an estimated total value of £16,000,000 including VAT over an initial five-year period, with the option to extend for a further five years.

The provision will support children and young people with complex and overlapping needs, including those at risk of hospital admission, subject to or at risk of Deprivation of Liberty arrangements, experiencing neurodevelopmental needs or presenting with significant risk-taking behaviours.

Service Requirements

The contract covers residential accommodation and therapeutic support for children and young people requiring specialist care across the Cheshire and Merseyside region.

The service is intended to support individuals with complex needs, including:

• Children and young people at risk of hospital admission.
• Those subject to or at risk of Deprivation of Liberty arrangements.
• Individuals with neurodevelopmental needs.
• Those presenting with significant risk-taking behaviours.

The procurement will follow a multi-stage process involving initial supplier participation, tender submissions, structured dialogue, refined tenders, negotiations and a final Best and Final Offer (BAFO).

Contract Information

• Buyer: Wirral Council
• Enquiry Deadline: 16 November 2026, 12:00pm
• Submission Deadline: 20 November 2026, 12:00pm
• Contract Value: £16,000,000 (including VAT)
• Contract Start: 3 April 2028
• Contract End: 2 April 2033
• Extension: Possible annual extensions for up to a further five years, until 2 April 2038
• Delivery Length: Up to 10 years, including extensions
• Tender Reference: DN834764
• Tender Link: Register on The Chest procurement portal
• Location: Cheshire and Merseyside

Supplier Requirements

Suppliers must meet the Conditions of Participation to progress to Stage 2 of the procurement process.

Applications must be submitted electronically through The Chest procurement portal. Further participation requirements will be detailed in the procurement documents.

Tenders must be submitted in English.

Evaluation Criteria

Suppliers meeting the Conditions of Participation will be invited to submit tenders for Stage 2.

The contract will be awarded based on the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT), using a quality and price assessment. Detailed quality questions, award criteria and scoring methodology will be provided in the Invitation to Tender documents issued to shortlisted suppliers.

Commercial Relevance

This opportunity offers residential children’s care providers and specialist therapeutic service organisations an opportunity to deliver accommodation and support for children and young people with complex needs across Cheshire and Merseyside. The potential 10-year contract duration provides an opportunity for longer-term service delivery.

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