Official UK procurement notice
Independent Fostering Agencies · UK public procurement notice
Authority: Hampshire County Council (Local council)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionHampshire County Council's Children Services Directorate is seeking to commission a range of IFA (independent fostering agencies) to support our looked after children cohort.
The new framework will as a minimum include fostering arrangements for;
Standard Foster Placements including Respite
Parent & Child Foster Placements
Children with Complex/Challenging Behaviours
Children with Disabilities/Complex Healthcare Needs
Separated Children
This list is not exhaustive and the framework will be flexible to capture additional fostering requirements that may emerge.
The Framework is being established as a light touch framework using the flexibilities allowed under the Procurement Act 2023. The Framework will be open for the initial period as set out in paragraph 4.1. Following the initial award it will then be reopened in January 2026 and remain open for the initial term.
The Council will run call offs to establish which suppliers can meet the different fostering arrangements before making individual placements to suppliers who have been awarded call off contracts. Further details can be seen in Annex 2 - Framework Overview
Providers who have been accepted onto the Framework and wish to add additional registered branches/offices during the life of the contract can amend and resubmit their Framework questionnaire to include these.
The priority of any arrangements will be to secure Hampshire placements for Hampshire children and Young People to support with their education, training, contact, and in order to maintain other existing support networks such as friends and other family members.
CPV: Health and social work services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Bids received
- 1 bids received · 21 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 4 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 9 Jan 2026
Published description of the framework
The Council will establish the framework as an overarching vehicle and will then run call offs for the service areas. All suppliers who meet the criteria will be awarded a call off contract, the numbers will not be limited.
Suppliers that are successful at call off will then be eligible to see referrals for the services which they have applied for. The criteria the Council will follow when making a placement will be included in the call off.
- Independent Fostering Agencies (call off) - Children with Complex / Challenging Behaviours · Hampshire County Council · 7 Sept 2026
- Independent Fostering Agencies (call off) · Hampshire County Council · 7 Sept 2026
- Independent Fostering Agencies (call off) - Separated Children · Hampshire County Council · 7 Sept 2026
- Independent Fostering Agencies (call off) - Children with Disabilities / Complex Healthcare Needs · Hampshire County Council · 7 Sept 2026
- Independent Fostering Agencies (call off) - Parent & Child · Hampshire County Council · 7 Sept 2026
Notices that name this framework as their framework in the official record. Many call-offs are never published, so this is a floor, not utilisation.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£203,000,000
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
- Quality criterion 1 (Lot 0): Suppliers must have an Ofsted rating of Good or Outstanding
- “Independent Fostering Agencies” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 8 Apr 2025, 08:58 BST
- Last source update
- 7 Aug 2026, 10:32 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 5 Jan 2026
- Authority reference
CS26629- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-066636- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
Payment terms will be set out in the call off documentation.
- Risks
Local Government Reorganisation
The government’s English Devolution White Paper, Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth, published on 16 December 2024, states that the government wants all remaining two-tier areas in England to be eventually restructured into single-tier unitary authorities and is termed Local Government Reform (LGR). This reorganisation is part of a broader devolution strategy to simplify local government structures, save public funds, and improve local accountability. LGR will impact the County of Hampshire as it currently operates a two-tier Local Government structure.
It is anticipated, that during the life of this framework, the LGR process will progress potentially impacting this framework. Impacts may include, but are not limited to, modifications such as a novation of the legal entity being contracted with, significant increases and/or decreases in the volume of services required due to the change in size of the Contracting Authority. Although any contract scope changes should broadly relate to the nature of the existing scope, new services of a related nature may be required that were not previously included.
Could be made to join regional cooperative
www.gov.uk/government/publicati… ↗ .Current collaborative framework ends 31/3/26 with a 2 year extension. The likelihood of this risk materialising is unknown at this stage. Hampshire did not join the SE RCC. To mitigate the risk the approval to spend has been drafted to be based on placements made/ contracts entered into so would still apply if we joined a RCC
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 24 Nov 2025, 14:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 10 Nov 2025, 17:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
8 Apr 2025 → 7 Aug 2026 · 10 dates- Planning notice published8 Apr 2025, 08:58 BST
- Market engagement22 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
Hampshire County Council would like to invite interested Independent Fostering Agencies to an online market engagement session to help inform the Council's future commissioning arrangements specifically regarding "Staying Put"
The session will be 90 minutes.
The session will take place at 13:30 on Tuesday the 5th August and be held via MS Teams. Following the event the Council will share a questionnaire with all suppliers attached to the project on intend to father their feedback.
Suppliers wishing to attend should register (if not already registered) on the Council's e-tendering platform, In-tend (in-tendhost.co.uk/hampshire/aspx/Home ↗) and 'Express Interest' against the project 'CS26659 Independent Fostering Agencies'. Please then use the Correspondence function for the project and provide the name of attendees and their email addresses that invitations can be issued to.
Suppliers wishing to attend need to confirm with the Council, via the correspondence function of In-tend, by 9:00 on Friday 1st August 2025.
- Tender notice published366 days ago20 Oct 2025, 11:29 BST
- Next notice expected365 days ago20 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by344 days ago10 Nov 2025, 17:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends330 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown24 Nov 2025, 14:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by288 days ago5 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts285 days ago9 Jan 2026
- Assessment summaries sent211 days ago24 Mar 2026
- Latest notice published75 days ago7 Aug 2026, 10:32 BST
Notice history
38 events · 32 releases on Find a Tender · since 8 Apr 2025- First planning notice published8 Apr 2025, 08:58 BST
- Preliminary market engagement notice published30 Jul 2025, 09:34 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published20 Oct 2025, 11:29 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £203,000,00020 Oct 2025, 11:29 BSTwas £200,000,000
- Status changed to active20 Oct 2025, 11:29 BST
- Procurement method changed20 Oct 2025, 11:29 BST
- Deadline published: 24 Nov 2025, 14:00 GMT20 Oct 2025, 11:29 BST
- Contract award notice published17 Dec 2025, 16:29 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete17 Dec 2025, 16:29 GMT
- Contract signature expected8 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published6 Mar 2026, 11:46 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published10 Mar 2026, 20:31 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published10 Mar 2026, 20:42 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published10 Mar 2026, 20:53 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published10 Mar 2026, 21:14 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published11 Mar 2026, 06:58 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published11 Mar 2026, 07:06 GMTUK7
- Contract details notice published11 Mar 2026, 07:13 GMTUK7
- Contract award notice published23 Apr 2026, 16:25 BSTUK6
- Contract details notice published29 Apr 2026, 21:08 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published29 Apr 2026, 21:20 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published29 Apr 2026, 21:30 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published29 Apr 2026, 21:38 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published29 Apr 2026, 21:45 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published29 Apr 2026, 21:51 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published29 Apr 2026, 21:58 BSTUK7
- Contract signature expected11 May 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published14 May 2026, 15:56 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published14 May 2026, 16:04 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published14 May 2026, 16:10 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published15 May 2026, 06:13 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published15 May 2026, 06:15 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published15 May 2026, 06:17 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published6 Jul 2026, 15:39 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published6 Jul 2026, 15:49 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published7 Aug 2026, 10:13 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published7 Aug 2026, 10:23 BSTUK7
- Contract details notice published7 Aug 2026, 10:32 BSTUK7
Routine re-releases (32)
- 2026-07: 2 releases · 6 Jul 2026, 6 Jul 2026
- 2026-05: 6 releases · 14 May 2026, 15 May 2026
- 2026-04: 8 releases · 23 Apr 2026, 29 Apr 2026
- 2026-03: 8 releases · 6 Mar 2026, 11 Mar 2026
- 2025-12: 1 release · 17 Dec 2025
- 2025-10: 1 release · 20 Oct 2025
- 2025-07: 2 releases · 21 Jul 2025, 30 Jul 2025
- 2025-04: 1 release · 8 Apr 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£203,000,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 2 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 2 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACTION FOR CHILDREN, Family First FosteringSME18 May 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034Extensions: There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month, and a value ex VAT of £ 105,000,000 Contract Value: The Value of the contract represents the Framework value including any other contract notices for suppliers who are appointed at different times. | ceiling above | 24 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
| ACTION FOR CHILDREN, Banya Family Placement LtdSME, Five Rivers Child Care LtdVCSE, Fostering Solutions, LIBERTY FOSTER CARE LIMITED, Lotus Foster Care Ltd +14 more9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034Extensions: There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month, and a value ex VAT of £ 105,000,000 | ceiling above | 4 Dec 2025 | Awarded |
18 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.
Contracts
All 20 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £203,000,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
Independent Fostering Agencies - The Adolescent & Children's Trust
- Signed
- 4 Aug 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 4 Aug 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies - Family First Fostering
- Signed
- 4 Aug 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 4 Aug 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month,
Independent Fostering Agencies - Fusion Fostering Limited
- Signed
- 4 Aug 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 4 Aug 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 23 Jun 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 24 Jun 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month The contract value represents the value of the Framework
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 1 Apr 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 2 Apr 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month The contract value represents the value of the Framework
Contract 1 · ACTION FOR CHILDREN, Banya Family Placement LtdSME, Five Rivers Child Care LtdVCSE, Fostering Solutions, LIBERTY FOSTER CARE LIMITED, Lotus Foster Care Ltd +14 more
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months The contract value represents the overall Framework Value.
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months The contract value represents the maximum Framework value
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months The value represents the value of the Framework
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months The contract value represents the value of the Framework
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month The contract value represents the value of the Framework
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 month The contract value represents the value of the Framework
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Independent Fostering Agencies · ACTION FOR CHILDREN, Family First FosteringSME
- Signed
- 9 Jan 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 9 Jan 2026 – 7 Jan 2030 · up to 7 Jan 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There is 1 contract extension with a maximum duration of 4 years and 0 months
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonAction for Children · East of England + FAMILY FIRST FOSTERING LTDSME · Greater London · consortium
- wonBANYA FAMILY PLACEMENT AGENCY LIMITEDSME · Greater London
- did not winBLUE SKY FOSTERING LIMITEDSME · Greater London
- did not winBRIGHTER FUTURES FOSTER CARE LTD · North West England
- did not winCAPSTONE FOSTER CARE (SOUTH WEST) LIMITED · West Midlands
- did not winCOMPASS FOSTERING SOUTH LIMITEDSME · East Midlands
- did not winFair Ways Community Benefit SocietyVCSE · South East England
- did not winFAMILY PLACEMENT.COM LIMITED · North West England
- wonFIVE RIVERS CHILD CARE LIMITEDVCSE · South West England
- did not winFOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES LIMITED · West Midlands
- wonFOSTERING SOLUTIONS LIMITED · North West England
- did not winFUSION FOSTERING LIMITEDSME · South West England
- did not winINTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMMESME · West Midlands
- wonLIBERTY FOSTER CARE LIMITED · South East England
- wonLOTUS FOSTER CARE LTD · Greater London
- did not winTHE NATIONAL FOSTERING AGENCY LIMITED · North West England
- did not winORANGE GROVE FOSTERCARE LTDSME · West Midlands
- wonSUNBEAM FOSTERING AGENCY LIMITEDSME · South East England
- wonThe Adolescent & Children's TrustSMEVCSE · Greater London
- did not winCHILDREN'S FAMILY TRUST(THE)SME · West Midlands
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
21 commercial parties on the notice- ACTION FOR CHILDRENFramework contractor
- BANYA FAMILY PLACEMENT AGENCY LIMITEDFramework contractor
- BLUE SKY FOSTERING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- BRIGHTER FUTURES FOSTER CARE LTDFramework contractor
- CAPSTONE FOSTER CARE (SOUTH WEST) LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CHILDREN'S FAMILY TRUST(THE)Framework contractor
- COMPASS FOSTERING SOUTH LIMITEDFramework contractor
- FAMILY FIRST FOSTERING LTDFramework contractor
- FAMILY PLACEMENT.COM LIMITEDFramework contractor
- FIVE RIVERS CHILD CARE LIMITEDFramework contractor
Show 11 more suppliers
- FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- FOSTERING SOLUTIONS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- FUSION FOSTERING LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Fair Ways Community Benefit SocietyFramework contractor
- INTEGRATED SERVICES PROGRAMMEFramework contractor
- LIBERTY FOSTER CARE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- LOTUS FOSTER CARE LTDFramework contractor
- ORANGE GROVE FOSTERCARE LTDFramework contractor
- SUNBEAM FOSTERING AGENCY LIMITEDFramework contractor
- THE NATIONAL FOSTERING AGENCY LIMITEDFramework contractor
- The Adolescent & Children's TrustFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (53)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
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- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
23 further documents are listed in the JSON mirror.