NEPO603 – Tyne-Tees Independent Foster Care Services (C-012130) – Opening July 2026

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, acting as the Lead Authority on behalf of the North-East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) and its Member Authorities, has opened the NEPO603 Flexible Procurement Agreement for Independent Foster Care Services.

The procurement operates under the Social and Other Specific Services Procurement Route within the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended). The flexible procurement agreement is designed to maintain placement capacity while allowing providers to apply to join the arrangement during scheduled opening periods.

The agreement is non-exclusive, meaning participating authorities may continue to commission services from other providers where required. Multiple providers will be appointed across all available lots.

Lots Available

The agreement has been divided into six lots:

• Lot 1 – Standard Support Placements
• Lot 2 – Extra Support Placements
• Lot 3 – Enhanced Support Placements
• Lot 4 – Parent and Child / Baby Placements
• Lot 5 – Parent and Child / Baby Assessment Placements
• Lot 6 – Staying Put Arrangements

Services will primarily be delivered across the North East of England, although participating authorities have confirmed that placements may also be required outside the region.

Contract Information

Buyer – Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (Lead Authority on behalf of NEPO Member Authorities)

Deadline – 31 October 2026 – 11:59pm

Contract Value – Not disclosed

Delivery Length – Until 30 June 2027, with one optional 12-month extension to 30 June 2028

Tender Link – Click here

Evaluation Criteria

The procurement will be conducted using the Open Procedure.

The contracting authority has confirmed that price is not the only award criterion. Full evaluation criteria are contained within the procurement documents.

Procurement Information

The Flexible Procurement Agreement allows providers to join the arrangement during scheduled opening periods to help maintain sufficient fostering placement capacity across participating authorities.

The agreement does not provide exclusivity or guarantee any minimum volume of placements. Participating authorities retain the ability to commission services from alternative providers where appropriate.

This opportunity provides independent fostering agencies with the opportunity to join a regional procurement arrangement supporting a range of fostering placement types for children and young people across the North East.

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