Young People’s Supported and Semi-Independent Accommodation and Support Services

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has a statutory duty to ensure that there is sufficient, good quality and safe provision for the young people in its care in accordance with Section 22G of the Children Act 1989. The Council is advertising to seek tenders from suitably experienced and qualified organisations to join our new open framework of providers for the provision of Young People’s Supported and Semi-Independent Accommodation and Support Services, for our looked-after young people aged 16 and older (up to a maximum age of 25).

The aim of the Open Framework is to establish a range of placement provisions that best meet the individual needs of our looked-after young people, acknowledging that these needs are often ongoing. The Open Framework will be composed of four (4) lots and will seek providers as follows:

Providers of supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years, under the new supported accommodation regulations (OFSTED), that do not provide semi-independent accommodation;

Providers of semi-independent accommodation for those over 18 who have not, or cannot, move into independent accommodation, that do not provide supported accommodation;

Providers of both supported accommodation and semi-independent accommodation types in order to ensure consistency and continuity of care and relationships for a Young Person; and

Providers of both supported accommodation (OFSTED regulations) and semi-independent accommodation types in order to ensure consistency and continuity of care and relationships for Young People that are parents.

The new framework is expected to run for a period of eight (8) years commencing on Monday 20th April 2026. Entry on to the framework will be based on providers meeting the necessary quality standards. Contracts will be awarded based on the individual needs of our young people. This will be an Open Framework, as defined under the new Procurement Act 2023, which provides for the award of successive frameworks on substantially the same terms at regular periods.

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s Commissioning team is planning on reopening the Framework within two years of the original day of award and then in two-yearly cycles, up to the eighth year of the original day of award, in line with the new regulations.

To achieve our vision, we will need to work with contractors who can demonstrate specific experience for this specialist area of work. Organisations who wish to express an interest must:

Have within the Organisation (or anyone within the proposed staffing), at least two years’ experience in providing support to vulnerable children and young people accommodated by children’s social care

Be registered with Ofsted to deliver under: The Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) and Quality Standards, if they are planning to deliver supported accommodation for those aged 16-17 years

Employ staff (keyworkers) who have a minimum of a QCF/NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (Children & Young People) or equivalent

Employ a Contract Manager/Manager (who will supervise all keyworkers) with a minimum QCF/NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care or equivalent

The Framework Contracts will have no minimum value, nor will any commitment to expenditure by the Council be stipulated within the contract itself. Expenditure will only be incurred when placements are made. The estimated value of the eight-year framework will be approximately £50 million based on the Council’s current spend; however, the Council has no obligation to spend through the framework.