Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) Retainer Block Pilot

{
  "id": "053342-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-06-05T13:39:23+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06aebc",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
    "name": "Reading Borough Council"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "26-S-008",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2027-04-30T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-11-01T00:00:00Z"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKJ11",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "85310000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Social work services"
          },
          {
            "id": "85320000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Social services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) Retainer Block Pilot",
    "value": {
      "amount": 49600,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 62000
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "Reading Borough Council is undertaking a soft market testing and engagement exercise to explore a new commissioning approach for securing local foster care capacity through a retainer based block model.\nThe Council is seeking early engagement with Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) to test whether this approach is viable in the current market, particularly in relation to the availability of carers within a 20 mile radius of Reading Civic Centre, and to understand whether the model is operationally practical and commercially attractive to providers.\nThis exercise will also support a co design process with the market, enabling providers to help shape and refine the proposed model, service expectations, and delivery approach ahead of any potential procurement. The Council is particularly keen to work collaboratively to ensure that any future model is realistic, deliverable, and aligned with market capacity and provider insight.\nThis PIN forms part of a structured pre procurement engagement process and is intended to inform decision making on whether to proceed to a pilot and how the model should be designed.\nWho Should Engage\nWe welcome interest from:\n•\tIFAs with existing or potential carers in the Reading area\n•\tProviders able to support local placement development\n•\tOrganisations interested in collaborative model design",
    "communication": {
      "futureNoticeDate": "2026-09-21T23:59:59+01:00"
    },
    "aboveThreshold": false,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
      "name": "Reading Borough Council",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ11",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Reading",
        "postalCode": "RG1 2LU",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Bridge Street"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.reading.gov.uk/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PWBJ-9435-VXQQ",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "pchub@reading.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "053342-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053342-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-06-05T13:39:23+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-08-21T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "The Council will undertake structured engagement as follows:\n•\tPIN publication: June 2026\n•\tProvider registration deadline: Early July 2026\n•\tMarket engagement event (virtual): Mid July 2026 (based on registration numbers, will expand to multiple sessions)\n•\tRFI issue and responses: End of July 2026\n•\t1:1 provider discussions: August 2026 (these would be booked directly)\n•\tMarket engagement summary published: August 2026\nWho Should Engage\nWe welcome interest from IFAs with existing or potential carers in the Reading area. \nWe wish to hear from providers who are able to support local foster care placements and organisations interested in collaborative model design \nHow to Participate\nTo express interest, please contact:\nbyron.taylor@reading.gov.uk chris.martin@reading.gov.uk \nReference: IFA Retainer Pilot - Market Engagement"
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}