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Published 9 Sept 2026, 14:12 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Solo Overnight Respite Solution

Authority: Durham County Council (Local council)

Direct awardLight touch regime
Sectors: Health & Social Care (85) Delivery: North East (UKC14)
Awarded value£1,033,682published award · exc. VAT
Award in standstill 9 Sept 2026no call for competition
Award (standstill) to WE CARE BESPOKE LTD

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The service will provide a solo overnight respite solution for families whose children have autism and / neuro diversity and who cannot access traditional respite services on account of the complexity of the children's needs and presentation. The need for a solo respite solution and the frequency / duration will be identified by DCC Social Workers following assessment of the families needs. The service will be registered with Ofsted to supply overnight respite for children.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Lot 1Awarded
Delivery: North East
85000000 Health and social work services

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Direct award
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Notice status
Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Light touch regime
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Direct award — no call for competition
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
No (one-off requirement)
First published
9 Sept 2026, 14:12 BST
Last source update
9 Sept 2026, 14:12 BST
Authority reference
003996
Latest notice
Contract award notice (UK6)
Delivery area
North East (UKC14)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f5b6
Why no open competition
Single Suppliers Intellectual Property Exclusive Rights; Single Suppliers Technical Reasons
Published justification
There is a significant shortfall in overnight respite provision for children and young people with Autism, learning disabilities, and other neurodiverse needs who require solo arrangements due to behaviours that cannot be safely supported within traditional shared respite settings. Existing providers within the North East are unable to meet these needs, resulting in Durham County Council incurring high-cost more…bed-blocking arrangements. The proposed provider is able to deliver a dedicated solo overnight respite service from a purpose-adapted building that is already OFSTED registered. The provider has the specialist staffing model, environment, and experience required to safely support this complex cohort. No alternative provider available through existing arrangements can meet the Council's requirements to the same level and within the required timescales. A direct award under PA23 is considered appropriate as it will ensure continuity of provision, minimise mobilisation time, and provide value for money by utilising an existing specialist facility rather than developing a new service. This arrangement will bridge the gap until Durham County Council's in-house overnight respite provision becomes operational, which is currently expected in mid-2028.

How it was run

Submission deadline
—

Timeline

2 published dates · Europe/London
  1. Notice published17 days ago
    9 Sept 2026, 14:12 BST
  2. Standstill ends4 days ago
    21 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics — not a forecast
Awards 1some still in standstill
Awarded value £1,033,6821 award exc. VAT
Awarded toValueDateStatus
WE CARE BESPOKE LTDSME28 Sept 2026 — 27 Sept 2028£1,033,6829 Sept 2026standstill to 21 Sept 2026Standstill

Notice history

3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 9 Sept 2026
  1. Contract signature expected
    22 Sept 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
  2. Contract award notice published
    9 Sept 2026, 14:12 BSTUK6
  3. Transparency notice published
    9 Sept 2026, 14:06 BSTUK5

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Durham County Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PMPB-8772-VYWM Corten House, Dunholme Close, Durham, North East, DH1 5WB

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • WE CARE BESPOKE LTDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 12145116GB-PPON: PVRW-2554-ZDPT 164a Front Street, Chester Le Street, North East, DH3 3AZ

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Conflict of interest declarationtenderConflict of interest declarationNot published

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender