Short Breaks market engagement Event

Short Breaks market engagement Event

Time and date: 2pm Monday 20th April 2026

Location: via Microsoft Teams

Following the previous market engagement held in June 2025, The London Boroughs of Camden and Islington are holding a second market engagement event on Monday 20th April at 2pm on Microsoft Teams to discuss their future commissioning of short break provisions for our children with disabilities. Both boroughs seek to appoint a number of providers to the new joint borough Framework which aims to commence on 1st April 2027.

Our core Short Breaks offer will consist of regular sessions to support children and young people with disabilities to have regular access to a provision which offers a range of creative, stimulating, fun and co-designed activities within our local communities including support to access mainstream activities for Children and Young People the overarching aim being for our Children to build self-esteem and confidence to help them reach their potential. Within the Framework for Short Breaks, we plan to commission a combination of sessions for after school, evening, weekends and during school and college holidays.

The aim of this Market Engagement event is to provide information to prospective bidders about the proposed mechanisms of the Framework, duration of the framework and the lots. We are seeking to gain feedback especially around the framework processes including the potential barriers and opportunities, the proposed lots and thoughts on guaranteed hours.

For Children aged 5-12, we seek to commission a combination of both community outreach and group-based activities which takes account of children's individual needs and desires in safe and friendly environments, that provides opportunities for Children to play and socialise with their peers.

We also seek to commission a Youth offer that will be a combination of community outreach and group based that will deliver: -
• skills-based activities to enable children to develop and pursue their personal interests, aspirations and build on their talents through a variety of opportunities such as computer skills, art, gardening, cooking, drama, music and sports.
• social activities which are co-designed and understanding individual children's needs
• Activities which support young people to prepare for adulthood such as independent living skills, money management, use of assisted technology, travel training and being healthy.

We would like to understand from providers: -
- What barriers and opportunities there will be in commissioning short breaks within a framework?
- What your thoughts on the potential use of volume purchasing and guaranteed hours within the proposed framework?
- Feedback on pricing & uplifts
- Thoughts on proposed Lots
- Check in on Boroughs joint commissioning
- How the Local Authority could strengthen relationships with providers

If you would like to attend the engagement event and/or provide feedback on the above points, please contact Stephen.Spencer@camden.gov.uk and Helen.Mannion@camden.gov.uk via email before 5pm on Friday 17th April 2026.