Kent County Council Awards £2.2bn Older Persons Care Framework

Kent County Council has awarded contracts under its new Older Persons Residential and Nursing (OPRN) Care Homes Services Open Framework, covering residential, nursing and bariatric care services across Kent.

The framework is designed to provide accommodation, care and support for people who require assistance due to age, disability or health conditions. Services range from support with daily living through to nursing care for people with complex medical needs.

The awards are divided across three lots. Lot 1, Residential Care, has been awarded to 85 suppliers and has a contract value of £1,485,813,182 including VAT. Lot 2, Nursing Care, has been awarded to 53 suppliers and is valued at £722,108,540 including VAT. Lot 3, Bariatric Care, has been awarded to 29 suppliers and is valued at £9,129,938 including VAT.

The award decision was made on 22 September 2026. Contracts are expected to run from 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2030, with the possibility of an extension of up to four additional years to 31 December 2034.

The wider Kent OPRN Open Framework Scheme is intended to operate for up to eight years on a 4+4-year basis. Kent County Council stated an estimated value of £2.2 billion including VAT for the scheme over the full eight-year period, although this figure is indicative and does not represent a commitment to spend.

The framework operates under the light-touch regime of the Procurement Act 2023 and may be reopened on the first, third and fifth anniversaries if the scheme continues for its full term.

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