Preliminary Market Engagement for Residential Homes for Children Looked After

The Council are planning to commission three new children's homes for 6 -18 year olds the first contract will commence in December 2026/January 2027 and the other two in June/July 2027 (subject to change) for an estimated contract duration of four (4) years with an option to extend for a further two year. The Council will provide the buildings, and we are seeking service providers to run the homes.

Two of the contracts will be for children with emotional behavioural difficulties and one will provide short term stabilising placements for children with complex needs who are at risk or on deprivation of liberty orders. The children and young people living at the homes will be 'Children Looked After,' where the Council has corporate parenting responsibilities in line with the requirements of the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004. As a result of their experiences, the children referred to the service will have varying and complex needs.

Alongside the daily support from the service provider, children and young people placed in this service will receive in-reach from local services including health, education child adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).