Strategic Partnership Framework For Commissioning Of Children's Services
Framework Description
Liverpool City Council is consulting the market on up to three Strategic Partnership Frameworks for commissioning children's services, grouped into three clusters. The indicative combined value is about £80 million a year, or up to £800 million over a maximum ten-year term, estimated from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2037. The preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender is 090636-2026.
Context & Use Case
Cluster 1 covers children's social care, from fostering and residential care through to independence. Cluster 3 covers support for children with complex needs, including health, behavioural, short breaks, crisis and therapeutic services. The council wants future provision to maximise independence, choice and control, best value and long-term market sustainability, and says the structure may change after market feedback.
Scope of Services
Cluster 1: independent fostering placements, residential children's homes, semi-independent accommodation and supported living, supported lodgings Cluster 2: further children's services (indicative value about £18 million a year) Cluster 3: complex health needs, care and personal support, behavioural support Cluster 3: short breaks, emergency and crisis support, therapeutic support, specialist assessment
Lots
Yes: The session will provide an overview of the proposed scope for Cluster 3 and will cover the following indicative Lots: Lot 1 - Complex Health Needs In
Who Can Apply
Fostering agencies, children's home operators, supported accommodation and lodgings providers, and health, therapeutic, behavioural and short-break services for children. No tender has opened yet, so providers cannot apply now; market engagement runs until 31 October 2026, and the formal procurement will follow under the Procurement Act 2023.
Buyer Benefits
Long-term strategic partnerships give the council a stable provider base and help shape the local care market, rather than buying placement by placement. Grouping services into clusters means buyers can commission a continuum of care, from crisis support to independence, and Cluster 3's specialist lots give access to providers for children with complex health and behavioural needs.
Next Steps
Register interest through the links in notice 090636-2026 and send feedback before the engagement deadline of 31 October 2026. Read the cluster and lot proposals, decide where you fit, and watch for the tender notice. Prepare Ofsted and CQC evidence, outcomes data, social value plans and a view on pricing over a long partnership term.
How Athena Can Help
A ten-year framework of this size will shape Liverpool's children's services market, so early preparation pays off. Athena's bid/no-bid and bid planning help you decide which clusters and lots to target and what evidence to start building now.
Once the tender opens, our care sector bid management writes and checks your quality and social value responses. Our framework pipeline service also tracks other children's services frameworks opening over the next year.
