Care and Support at Home Services Contract Re-open January 2026

The Council intends to appoint additional Individual Home Care Providers into the existing Alliances to address current capacity shortfalls within Lots 9 and 10. A capacity shortfall means existing Alliance Providers do not have sufficient capacity to meet demand in that geographical area. This procurement is initiated only where additional capacity is required, not to replace existing providers. Successful providers will complement the current Alliances by delivering care where demand exceeds existing capacity.
The Services are delivered through eleven (11) place-based Alliances. Each Alliance consists of multiple Providers who collaborate to optimise delivery within a defined Geographical Zone. Each Alliance is led by a Strategic Provider who oversees performance, administers the Alliance, coordinates capacity optimisation and acts as the Operational Provider of Last Resort, supported by Individual Providers who deliver Home Care services.
The aim of the Services is to ensure people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, supporting them to remain well, safe and independent at home for longer. The Services primarily support older people and adults with physical disabilities, and may also support people with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, sensory loss and other conditions where this model best meets their needs.
Services include:
• Regulated personal care tasks (e.g. mobility support, washing, dressing, toileting, medication).
• Non-regulated tasks (e.g. shopping, cleaning, community access) where required to meet assessed needs.
• Night-time care in exceptional circumstances to avoid residential care.
• Clustering of home care in specific settings (e.g. sheltered housing) to enhance provision and optimise capacity.
• Collaborative working within each Alliance to optimise delivery and support market stability, including prevention and management of provider failure.
The original procurement was divided into eleven (11) Lots aligned to eleven (11) Geographical Zones. Contracts commenced on 19 October 2024 for up to eight (8) years: an initial three (3) years, an optional extension of three (3) years, and a further optional two (2) years. Extensions are at the sole discretion of the Council.
The Contract permits the Council to open opportunities to new providers where Alliance capacity does not meet demand. This notice relates only to Lots 9 and 10, with new contracts scheduled to commence in June 2026.