Community Support Framework (Children's) - CAFS/2025/290

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is undertaking a procurement exercise for a Community Support Framework, for children living within Stoke-on-Trent and for children who may be supported in other areas of the country. The Council wishes to source multiple providers to deliver the services.

The services will stabilise children and families who have support needs that require statutory intervention. The cohorts of children will be those with disabilities and those on the edge of care or who are in care. Service areas include Short Break packages, and outreach/wrap around support, and urgent support required within 24-48 hours, complex support. The Framework will be managed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council who, through a series of call-off agreements, will engage, collaborate and work with organisations to deliver a broad range of these services.

Providers are expected to have staff with experience of safeguarding and supporting vulnerable children and young people, understand why children and families access services, and must be able to deliver safe, proven, effective, trauma informed, and outcome focused care and support.

The Council is inviting applicants to tender to join the Open Framework Scheme for the following Framework Lots:

• Lot 1a: Short Breaks (Non-CQC registration required, no personal care)
• Lot 1b: Short Breaks (CQC registration required for personal care activities)
• Lot 1c: Short Breaks (Complex, personal care and health related care and support)
• Lot 2: Planned Intervention
• Lot 3a: Urgent support needed on the day or the following day (Non-CQC registration required, no personal care)
• Lot 3b: Urgent support needed on the day or the following day (CQC registration required for personal care activities)
• Lot 3c: Urgent support needed on the day or the following day (Complex, personal care and health related care and support)

Providers may apply for one or more lots depending on their offer. Providers delivering under all lots will be required to employ staff with local knowledge to support our young people.

Potential spend per Lot, per annum
- Lot 1a £250,000
- Lot 1b £250,000
- Lot 1c £650,000
- Lot 2 £100,000
- Lot 3a £400,000
- Lot 3b £450,000
- Lot 3c £450,000

It is noted that we consider this to be a Hybrid Mixed Procurement involving both the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and the NHS Provider Selection Regime (PSR) as we feel this contract covers both Healthcare Services and non-Healthcare Goods or Services. The dominant "main purpose" or value test we applied decided the governing rule concluded the value of the none Healthcare related elements is over 50% of the overall contract value so therefore confirms that PA23 regulations take precedence.

This Project will be undertaken in accordance with regulations stated under the Procurement Act 2023 and will be classed as being undertaken as a light touch Open Framework and will be for a maximum term of 8 Years