Independent Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council's Children Services Directorate is seeking to commission a range of IFA (independent fostering agencies) to support our looked after children cohort.

The new framework will as a minimum include fostering arrangements for;

Standard Foster Placements including Respite

Parent & Child Foster Placements

Children with Complex/Challenging Behaviours

Children with Disabilities/Complex Healthcare Needs

Separated Children

This list is not exhaustive and the framework will be flexible to capture additional fostering requirements that may emerge.

The Framework is being established as a light touch framework using the flexibilities allowed under the Procurement Act 2023. The Framework will be open for the initial period as set out in paragraph 4.1. Following the initial award it will then be reopened in January 2026 and remain open for the initial term.

The Council will run call offs to establish which suppliers can meet the different fostering arrangements before making individual placements to suppliers who have been awarded call off contracts. Further details can be seen in Annex 2 - Framework Overview Providers who have been accepted onto the Framework and wish to add additional registered branches/offices during the life of the contract can amend and resubmit their Framework questionnaire to include these.

The priority of any arrangements will be to secure Hampshire placements for Hampshire children and Young People to support with their education, training, contact, and in order to maintain other existing support networks such as friends and other family members.