This is a dynamic purchasing system or similar standing arrangement, not a one-off tender.
Suppliers can apply to join at any time until 27 November 2026. The buyer then invites admitted suppliers to compete for individual contracts, each with its own short deadline.
Northamptonshire Children's Trust: Provision of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes for Children and Young People in our Care DPS (Reopening)
Issued by Northamptonshire Children's Trust · via UK Find a Tender Service
- Published
- 30 Oct 2026
- Open to join until
- 27 Nov 2026, 12:00 UTC
- Value
- GBP 252,000,000
- Reference
- ocds-h6vhtk-0794a3
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Type
- services
At a glance
Northamptonshire Children's Trust in United Kingdom has published an open-admission purchasing arrangement: “Northamptonshire Children's Trust: Provision of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes for Children and Young People in our Care DPS (Reopening)”. Suppliers can apply to join until 27 November 2026. The stated value is GBP 252,000,000. Quote reference ocds-h6vhtk-0794a3 in any correspondence with the buyer. FreeTender has recorded 3 notices from this buyer since 2026, 3 of them currently open. Bids are submitted to the buyer through UK Find a Tender Service, not through FreeTender.
Details
Northamptonshire Children's Trust (hereafter referred to as the "Children's Trust") is re-opening their Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the supply of services in respect of this requirement. This specification covers providing Homes for Children and Young People in Our Care, Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes. The primary role of Independent Fostering Arrangements and Children's Homes is to provide homes to ensure children in our care have a place that is safe and suitable for their individual needs, where they are supported by people who care for them and about them to achieve their full potential, develop resilience, enjoy good health and wellbeing and develop into adulthood. The Children's Trust previously set up the DPS which commenced on 1st February 2024 with an initial term of 4 years and 2 months (i.e. to 31st March 2028), with an option to extend for up to an additional 3 years (until 31st March 2031). Services will be categorised by the following lots that are described further in the specification:
Lot 1: Independent Fostering Agency placements for Children in Care
- Category 1.1 - Standard - Category 1.2 - Enhanced - Category 1.3 - Complex Needs - Category 1.4 - Emergency - Category 1.5 - Transition to Family Care from Children's Homes - Category 1.6 - Parent and Child
Lot 2: Children's Homes placements for Children in Care
- Category 2.1 - Standard Homes - Category 2.2 - Specialist Homes - Category 2.3 - Complex Needs - Category 2.4 - Emergency Potential Providers can apply for one or more Lots and Categories.
Please note: this contract originally started on 1st February 2024.
The Light Touch Regime (LTR) applies to the Services under this DPS, as per Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
Context for bidders
We hold 3 notices from Northamptonshire Children's Trust, going back to October 2026 — 3 of them still open. They buy mostly in Sports, Recreation & Events and Transport & Logistics. This one closes in 24 days.
Before you bid on this tender
A quick checklist to help you decide whether to bid and prepare a compliant submission. Always verify the details on the official source.
- Confirm the exact closing date and time (and time zone) on the official portal — deadlines are strict and can be revised by a corrigendum.
- Read the full notice and every attached document, including the scope, specifications and any bill of quantities or terms of reference.
- Check the eligibility criteria — prior similar experience, annual turnover, certifications and registrations — and make sure you qualify before investing effort.
- Prepare any earnest-money deposit (EMD) or bid security and the required formats early; missing or wrongly-formatted documents are a common cause of rejection.
- Note how bids must be submitted (online or physical), in what format, and whether a digital signature or portal registration is required.
- Watch for corrigenda and clarifications right up to the deadline — requirements and dates can change.
FreeTender mirrors this notice for reference. Verify the details and bid on the official portal.
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