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Contract Notice

Children’s Residential Complex Needs Block Contracts - Outcome Specification Approach

  • First published: 21 August 2024
  • Last modified: 21 August 2024

The buyer is not using this website to administer the notice.

To record your interest or obtain additional information or documents please find instructions within the Full Notice Text. (NOTE: Contract Award Notices and Prior Information Notices do not normally require a response)

Contents

Summary

OCID:
ocds-h6vhtk-0439cb
Published by:
Essex County Council
Authority ID:
AA20967
Publication date:
21 August 2024
Deadline date:
05 September 2024
Notice type:
Contract Notice
Has documents:
No
Has SPD:
No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:
N/A

Abstract

Essex County Council have an opportunity for providers within the children’s

residential and fostering space to enter into a block contract agreement, this will be for

registered provision for children and young people under the age of 18, currently in

unregistered settings. Providers must have provision or be able to demonstrate they will

have, that is Ofsted registered and, either in Essex or within 20 miles from Essex County Council’s geographic coverage / boundaries.

Full notice text

Contract notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

Essex County Council

County Hall, Market Road

Chelmsford

CM1 1QH

UK

Contact person: Ms Anne-Lise Nicol

E-mail: AnneLise.Nicol@essex.gov.uk

NUTS: UKH3

Internet address(es)

Main address: https://www.essex.gov.uk/

Address of the buyer profile: https://www.essex.gov.uk/

I.2) Joint procurement

The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body

I.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:

https://procontract.due-north.com/Login


Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address


Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:

https://procontract.due-north.com/Login


I.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

I.5) Main activity

General public services

Section II: Object

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title

Children’s Residential Complex Needs Block Contracts - Outcome Specification Approach

Reference number: DN711075

II.1.2) Main CPV code

85300000

 

II.1.3) Type of contract

Services

II.1.4) Short description

Essex County Council have an opportunity for providers within the children’s

residential and fostering space to enter into a block contract agreement, this will be for

registered provision for children and young people under the age of 18, currently in

unregistered settings. Providers must have provision or be able to demonstrate they will

have, that is Ofsted registered and, either in Essex or within 20 miles from Essex County Council’s geographic coverage / boundaries.

II.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 8 736 000.00  GBP

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for all lots

II.2) Description

Lot No: 1

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

85311000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UKH3

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract.

Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement.

The Council will consider all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes.

The Council are not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs.

Placements for children and young people include those:

With emotional and behavioural difficulties.

With EHCP plans.

With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of

placements in foster care or children’s homes.

Who have been at risk of harm.

Who have experienced neglect.

Who have experienced emotional abuse.

Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity.

Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended are

likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to:

Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts.

Offending

Sexualised behaviours

Fire setting

Absconding

The placement is not required to accommodate children and young people with:

Physical disabilities.

Severe Learning disabilities.

Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment.

Clinical / nursing needs.

Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program.

The provider is to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children’s

home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding.

This service specification has been drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are

not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff.

The service specification has also been drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.

II.2.5) Award criteria

Criteria below:

Quality criterion: Technical Response / Weighting: 30

Price / Weighting:  70

II.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 2 184 000.00  GBP

II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 12

This contract is subject to renewal: Yes

Description of renewals:

Two further 12 month extensions are available.

II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

II.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

II.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

II.2.13) Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

Lot No: 2

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

85311000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UKH3

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract.

Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement.

The Council will consider all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes.

The Council are not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs.

Placements for children and young people include those:

With emotional and behavioural difficulties.

With EHCP plans.

With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of

placements in foster care or children’s homes.

Who have been at risk of harm.

Who have experienced neglect.

Who have experienced emotional abuse.

Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity.

Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended are

likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to:

Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts.

Offending

Sexualised behaviours

Fire setting

Absconding

The placement is not required to accommodate children and young people with:

Physical disabilities.

Severe Learning disabilities.

Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment.

Clinical / nursing needs.

Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program.

The provider is to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children’s

home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding.

This service specification has been drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are

not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff.

The service specification has also been drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.

II.2.5) Award criteria

Criteria below:

Quality criterion: Technical Response / Weighting: 30

Price / Weighting:  70

II.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 2 184 000.00  GBP

II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 12

This contract is subject to renewal: Yes

Description of renewals:

Two further 12 month extensions are available.

II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

II.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

II.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

II.2.13) Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

Lot No: 3

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

85311000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UKH3

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract.

Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement.

The Council will consider all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes.

The Council are not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs.

Placements for children and young people include those:

With emotional and behavioural difficulties.

With EHCP plans.

With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of

placements in foster care or children’s homes.

Who have been at risk of harm.

Who have experienced neglect.

Who have experienced emotional abuse.

Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity.

Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended are

likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to:

Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts.

Offending

Sexualised behaviours

Fire setting

Absconding

The placement is not required to accommodate children and young people with:

Physical disabilities.

Severe Learning disabilities.

Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment.

Clinical / nursing needs.

Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program.

The provider is to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children’s

home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding.

This service specification has been drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are

not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff.

The service specification has also been drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.

II.2.5) Award criteria

Criteria below:

Quality criterion: Technical Response / Weighting: 30

Price / Weighting:  70

II.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 2 184 000.00  GBP

II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 12

This contract is subject to renewal: Yes

Description of renewals:

Two further 12 month extensions available.

II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

II.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

II.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

II.2.13) Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

Lot No: 4

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

85311000

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UKH3

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Council are not mandating precise details of how a provider should support a Child in Care, instead trusting in the specialisms, knowledge, and expertise of this market. This output approach allows providers (both fostering and residential) full autonomy and freedom around their individual model using their bids to detail how they will meet the individual needs of a Child in Care and the expected outcomes of this contract.

Exact details of Children in Care requiring a placement are individually outlined in each output specification, these each form a Lot. These are anonymised referrals of a Young Person who is currently in an unregistered placement who requires a registered placement.

The Council will consider all registered children’s home/foster care placements so long as it is in accordance with the child or young person’s care plan, the Council are therefore able to consider solo, dual or group homes.

The Council are not mandating required minimum support hours (unless in accordance with a DoLS order) instead opting to hear from providers about how they best feel they can meet needs.

Placements for children and young people include those:

With emotional and behavioural difficulties.

With EHCP plans.

With a history of disrupted familial relationships and/or have experienced break down of

placements in foster care or children’s homes.

Who have been at risk of harm.

Who have experienced neglect.

Who have experienced emotional abuse.

Who have an identified or suspected neurodiversity.

Additional children and young people referred if / once the initial placement has ended are

likely to include those aged 10-18 years old with behaviours including but not limited to:

Self-harm, including suicidal thoughts.

Offending

Sexualised behaviours

Fire setting

Absconding

The placement is not required to accommodate children and young people with:

Physical disabilities.

Severe Learning disabilities.

Acute mental health needs who require inpatient treatment.

Clinical / nursing needs.

Severe drug dependency not on a treatment support program.

The provider is to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children’s

home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding.

This service specification has been drafted in accordance with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 (“the Regulations”) and accompanying guidance. The provider must adhere to the quality standards as set out within the Regulations when delivering children’s residential placements under this provision. These requirements include but are

not limited to the provision of appropriately trained staff.

The service specification has also been drafted in accordance with Children Act 1989, Guidance and Regulations Volume 4 Fostering Services, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008.

II.2.5) Award criteria

Criteria below:

Quality criterion: Technical Response / Weighting: 30

Price / Weighting:  70

II.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 2 184 000.00  GBP

II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 12

This contract is subject to renewal: Yes

Description of renewals:

Two further 12 month extensions available.

II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

II.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

II.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

II.2.13) Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1) Conditions for participation

III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions:

As detailed within the tender documents

III.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents


III.2) Conditions related to the contract

III.2.2) Contract performance conditions

The provider is to operate within Children’s homes / fostering regulations, Ofsted requirements, and ensure Regulation 44 visits are in place as applicable. Criteria For Providing the Provision include that the provider will have a registered children’s home vacancy or foster care placement which can be offered within the timescales detailed within the specification. The placement is in Essex or within 20 miles. The provider must aspire for an Ofsted rating of good or outstanding.

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure - Accelerated procedure

Justification:

Procurement will be open for a minimum of 15 calendar days, a PIN was previously published to alert tenderers of the upcoming opportunity. Justification for shorter period due to needing providers to have a vacancy, and still hold vacancy at time of award.

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

IV.2) Administrative information

IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number in the OJ S:

2024/S 000-004816

IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date: 05/09/2024

Local time: 12:00

IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

EN

IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date: 05/09/2024

Local time: 12:00

Place:

Electronically via ProContract

Information about authorised persons and opening procedure:

The commercial officer will conduct the opening process via the functionality within the Council's e-sourcing portal ProContract. No postal responses or any submissions which are issued outside the electronic portal will be accepted.

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

VI.4) Procedures for review

VI.4.1) Review body

The High Court

The Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand

London

WC2A 2LL

UK

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice

20/08/2024

Coding

Commodity categories

ID Title Parent category
85300000 Social work and related services Health and social work services
85311000 Social work services with accommodation Social work services

Delivery locations

ID Description
100 UK - All

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:
AnneLise.Nicol@essex.gov.uk
Admin contact:
N/a
Technical contact:
N/a
Other contact:
N/a

Further information

Date Details
No further information has been uploaded.

0800 222 9004

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