Northamptonshire Children's Trust (hereafter referred to as the "Children's Trust") is re-opening the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes. Northamptonshire Children's Trust (NCT) would like to invite Residential Children's Home Providers and Independent Fostering Agencies who are not currently part of the framework to attend the forthcoming Pre-Market Engagement Event. As part of the preparations to re-open the Children's Services Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), we are keen to engage with providers, share our future plans, and gain valuable insight from the market. Event Details: Date: Friday 23 October Time: 2:00pm to 3:00pm Venue: Microsoft Teams The session will include: - An overview of the DPS re-opening process. - Future commissioning intentions. - Opportunities for providers to ask questions and provide feedback. - Information on how organisations can participate in future procurement opportunities. To reserve your place, please complete the registration form below: https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/ioNHCy6kBCYGYBwHZfm0sxUIIV?domain=forms.cloud.microsoft Following registration, a Teams meeting link will be sent directly to the email address provided. We encourage any provider interested in future opportunities to attend and look forward to hearing your views The primary role of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes is to provide homes to ensure children in our care have a place that is safe and suitable for their individual needs, where they are supported by people who care for them and about them to achieve their full potential, develop resilience, enjoy good health and wellbeing and develop into adulthood. The Children's Trust previously set up the DPS which commenced on 1st February 2024 with an initial term of 4 years and 2 months (i.e. to 31st March 2028), with an option to extend for up to an additional 3 years (until 31st March 2031). Services will be categorised by the following lots that are described further in the specification: Lot 1: Independent Fostering Agency placements for Children in Care Category 1.1 - Standard Category 1.2 - Enhanced Category 1.3 - Complex Needs Category 1.4 - Emergency Category 1.5 - Transition to Family Care from Children's Homes Category 1.6 - Parent and Child Lot 2: Children's Homes placements for Children in Care Category 2.1 - Standard Homes Category 2.2 - Specialist Homes Category 2.3 - Complex Needs Category 2.4 - Emergency Potential Providers can apply for one or more Lots and Categories. Please note: this contract originally started on 1st February 2024. The Light Touch Regime (LTR) applies to the Services under this DPS, as per Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The primary role of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes is to provide homes to ensure children in our care have a place that is safe and suitable for their individual needs, where they are supported by people who care for them and about them to achieve their full potential, develop resilience, enjoy good health and wellbeing and develop into adulthood. The Children's Trust previously set up the DPS which commenced on 1st February 2024 with an initial term of 4 years and 2 months (i.e. to 31st March 2028), with an option to extend for up to an additional 3 years (until 31st March 2031). Services will be categorised by the following lots that are described further in the specification: Lot 1: Independent Fostering Agency placements for Children in Care Category 1.1 - Standard Category 1.2 - Enhanced Category 1.3 - Complex Needs Category 1.4 - Emergency Category 1.5 - Transition to Family Care from Children's Homes Category 1.6 - Parent and Child

Potential Providers can apply for one or more Lots and Categories. Please note: this contract originally started on 1st February 2024. The Light Touch Regime (LTR) applies to the Services under this DPS, as per Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)