Worcestershire County Council is seeking qualified and experienced suppliers to deliver services that support the Council to fulfil its Sufficiency Duty in relation to short breaks for Children with Disabilities and to improve the overall outcomes for these children. The framework agreement will assist the Council to improve the availability of suitable short breaks at the right time and right location, delivering the right support, ensuring that the Council’s Children in Care: • Receive the best care possible to meet their needs. • Are effectively supported to improve their individual outcomes. • Have their welfare promoted and are effectively safeguarded. The open framework is divided into four (4) Lots: • Lot 1 – Overnight Fostering Short Breaks • Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks • Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care • Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers The Council is seeking to put in place an open framework to establish the initial framework and appoint one or more Suppliers to deliver services. This Procurement is intended to set up a list of approved Suppliers. There is no limit to the number of Suppliers who can join the framework. Call-off Award Procedures will then be conducted, and Call-off contracts will then be awarded. The initial open framework was for Lot 1 – Overnight Fostering Short Breaks and Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks only, with new open framework start date of 1st November 2026. Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care and Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers 4 will continue on the existing Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) until 28th February 2027. The framework for Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care and Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers is now open with a start date of 1st March 2027. Lot 1– Overnight Fostering Short Breaks and Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks are also open again for new applications. All Lots will reopen at least annually in the autumn.

Lot 1 – Overnight Fostering Short Breaks covers the provision of planned overnight short breaks within the home of an approved foster carer that meet regulatory standards. The service provides family-based respite care for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs who are assessed as benefiting from a foster family environment.

Lot 2 – Overnight Residential Short Breaks covers the provision of planned overnight short breaks within a registered children’s home setting. The service provides respite care for children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs who are assessed as benefiting from a residential environment.

Lot 3 – Domiciliary Care covers the provision of one-to-one or two-to-one care (daily living activities, personal care, and household tasks) to children and young people aged 0-18 years with SEND and their families in their home.

Provision under Lot 4 – Short Breaks Support Workers includes help and support to children and young people at their home and to enable and facilitate access to activities in the community.

Procurement Act 2023

Open procedure

Light touch

Awards under the framework agreement may be made with or without reopening competition. Please refer to the Appendix 2 - Short Breaks Services Framework Agreement Clause 4 (Award Procedure) and service specifications for each Lot.

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