West Midlands Independent Fostering Agency Framework
Framework Description
Coventry City Council leads the West Midlands Regional Independent Fostering Agency Framework, which serves the 14 West Midlands local authorities and trusts. It is the main route for buying foster care from independent fostering agencies (IFAs) across the region. The framework has four regional lots and was last re-opened to new and existing IFAs through Find a Tender notice 066273-2025, which closed on 21 November 2025.
Context & Use Case
Placement and commissioning teams across the region use it to find foster homes for children in care when in-house carers are not available or a child needs a specialist placement. Lots are organised geographically, so agencies with foster families in the right area can be matched to children across local authority boundaries.
Scope of Services
Independent foster care placements for looked-after children Recruitment, assessment and training of foster carers Supervision and support for foster families Placement administration and information sharing with authorities Compliance with Ofsted fostering regulations
Lots
Yes: Multiple lots across the West Midlands region; existing framework providers can apply for additional lots.
Who Can Apply
Ofsted-registered IFAs with a current registration certificate and foster families in the lot area. The latest re-opening closed on 21 November 2025, so new agencies, and existing providers wanting extra lots, need to wait for the next one. Each IFA must bid under its own Ofsted unique reference number; umbrella bids are not accepted.
Buyer Benefits
Fourteen authorities and trusts share one set of quality standards, prices and contract terms, which saves each from running its own tender. Regional lots help keep children near their schools and families. A re-opening adds capacity in areas where authorities struggle to place children.
Next Steps
Watch Coventry City Council's CSW-JETS e-tendering site for the next re-opening. Keep your Ofsted URN and registration details ready. New applicants should decide which lots match where their carers live, and existing providers which extra lots they could support. Build evidence of outcomes, placement stability and carer support in the meantime.
How Athena Can Help
Fostering tenders are scored on placement stability, outcomes and carer support. Athena's bid writing for care providers turns your practice into strong quality answers and includes a full compliance check against the single-URN rules.
We can also help you choose lots and set prices that are sustainable across the region, through our public sector bidding guidance. Our regional framework planning highlights other fostering and children's placement frameworks due to open in the next 6–12 months.
