Pre Market Engagement Social Impact Framework Reopening 1
Framework Description
This page covers market engagement for the first reopening of the East of England NHS Collaborative Procurement Hub's Social Impact Framework, an open framework for commissioning community-based services that tackle health inequalities and the wider determinants of health. The framework launched on 8 December 2025 under the Procurement Act 2023 Light Touch regime, with 204 suppliers across 23 lots, and an estimated value of £15 million. Its first reopening was on 11 May 2026.
Context & Use Case
Integrated care boards, NHS organisations and local authorities use the Social Impact Framework to commission services such as housing, employment and community support that affect health outside hospital. Reopenings let new providers join as commissioners' needs grow. The framework aligns with the 10 Year Health Plan, Core20PLUS5, the Better Care Fund and the National Procurement Policy Statement.
Scope of Services
Services addressing health inequalities Services supporting wider determinants of health Housing, employment and education support Community support and access services Health improvement interventions
Lots
Yes: 23 lots covering health inequality services and wider determinants of health
Who Can Apply
Suits voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations and SMEs that deliver measurable health and social outcomes. As an open framework, new providers can join during reopening windows; after the first reopening in May 2026, the next windows are due in 2027, 2029 and 2031.
Buyer Benefits
Commissioners get a pre-assessed pool of community providers for prevention work, which is often hard to buy through conventional tenders. Periodic reopenings keep the supply base current, and the Light Touch regime suits services built around people and communities rather than standard commodities.
Next Steps
Prepare now for the 2027 reopening: review the 23 lots on the hub's Social Impact page at eoecph.nhs.uk, decide where your services fit, and gather outcome data, safeguarding policies and case studies. Sign up to the hub's newsletter or contact frameworks@eoecph.nhs.uk so you hear about the reopening as soon as it is announced.
How Athena Can Help
Reopenings are short, so Athena helps providers prepare in advance. Our open framework applications service matches your services to the right lots and writes the application, including outcome evidence and social value.
For smaller VCSEs, our bid/no-bid guidance helps decide whether a reopening is worth the effort, and our bid writing and proofreading makes sure answers on impact and safeguarding score well. We can also plan your timetable so a short reopening window does not catch you out.
