The Fosterline Service

{
  "id": "082254-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-08-28T15:03:09+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06eeb8",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD",
    "name": "Department for Education"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "project_10682",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "description": null,
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2028-12-28T23:59:59+00:00",
          "startDate": "2027-01-01T00:00:00+00:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2029-12-31T23:59:59+00:00"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKE",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKI",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKC",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKD",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKF",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKG",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKH",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKJ",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "72253000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Helpdesk and support services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "The Fosterline Service",
    "value": {
      "amount": 0,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 0
    },
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "This is a notice seeking early engagement from interested parties in relation to the Department for Education Fosterline Service\nPlease note that all references to procedure, value and term length are purely illustrative and subject to change.\nThe event will describe the existing set of national Fosterline services offering free, independent advice to current and prospective foster carers and the proposed service moving forward\nThe current service offers individualised services for current or prospective foster carers requiring help with ongoing issues or detailed tax and benefits advice. \nThe services aim to support foster families to stay together during times of crisis, reducing placement breakdown, and avoiding costs associated with this. \nThe service is currently composed of a helpline service, website and webchat function.\nPlease note that this notice is for early market engagement and exploratory purposes and is not a call for competition hence the £0 value indicated at this point. \nThe Department reserves the right not to enter any formal processes or agreements. \nAccordingly, the authority will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work, or effort incurred by a provider in acting based on this notice.",
    "communication": {
      "futureNoticeDate": "2026-11-01T23:59:59+00:00"
    },
    "specialRegime": [
      "lightTouch"
    ],
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "buyerID": [],
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PDZG-3487-DPVD",
      "name": "Department for Education",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKI32",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "London",
        "postalCode": "SW1P3BT",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PDZG-3487-DPVD",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "PolicyAssurance.COMMERCIALQUERIES@education.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "082254-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082254-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-08-28T15:03:09+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-09-10T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "An online market engagement event will be held for interested parties to contribute on September 10th between 13:00 – 14:00\nPlease visit Department for education eSourcing portal Jaggaer to register via the View Opportunities section and to obtain a link to attend the online event\nhttps://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html (scroll to view opportunities)\nThe SSQ will remain open after the market engagement event to allow organisations who initially miss this notice or the event, to register an interest prior to any procurement opportunity being advertised"
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}