Southend-on-Sea City Council is preparing to procure a new Residential and Nursing Care Framework to support adults with a range of care and support needs, including older people, people living with dementia, adults with learning disabilities, people with mental health needs and individuals requiring nursing care. The Council is seeking to develop a more transparent, consistent and sustainable approach to residential and nursing care, with a stronger relationship between individuals' assessed needs, the complexity of support required, provider capabilities and the fees paid for care. The proposed framework will support improved placement decision-making, greater consistency in funding arrangements and a stronger understanding of the capacity and capabilities available within the local care market. The Council currently intends to establish a framework under the light-touch provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, with an estimated value of £296 million over the proposed maximum eight-year period. The proposed initial term is five years, with options to extend for up to three additional years in 12-month increments. The final procurement structure remains subject to confirmation. The formal Invitation to Tender and associated tender notice are expected to be published by the end of 2026. Before commencing procurement, the Council wishes to engage with providers to test its proposed approach and ensure that the future framework reflects the needs of residents, the capabilities of the market and the practical considerations of delivering sustainable, high-quality care.

Estimated value: 296,000,000 GBP including VAT

Procurement Act 2023

Light touch

The Council will hold two online market engagement sessions via Microsoft Teams. These sessions will provide an opportunity for providers to understand the proposed framework and contribute to its development. We are particularly interested in views on: Complexity and needs-based care: How different levels of care and complexity should be defined and how these relate to provider capability. Fee structures: The proposed relationship between assessed need, care complexity and fee arrangements, including nursing care requirements. Placement matching: How the Council and providers can improve the matching of individuals to appropriate residential and nursing placements. Market capacity and sustainability: Current and future challenges, including workforce, specialist provision and increasing complexity of need. Quality and outcomes: How the framework can promote quality, independence, wellbeing and person-centred support. Framework operation: The proposed approach to provider participation, placement arrangements and ongoing market engagement. Planned Engagement Sessions Market Engagement Event 1: 27th October 2026 Market Engagement Event 2: 12th November 2026 A further provider workshop may be arranged to explore particular elements of the proposed model following the initial engagement sessions. Who Should Attend? We welcome participation from providers based in the Mid and South Essex areas: • Residential Care Providers • Nursing Care Providers • Specialist Care Providers • Existing Framework Providers • Providers not currently contracted with the Council who may be interested in future opportunities • Sector Representative Organisations Register Your Interest: Providers interested in attending a market engagement event or receiving updates regarding the forthcoming procurement are encouraged to register their interest by contacting: [email protected]