Commissioning Homes For Children Looked After & Care Leavers PDPS Rd 9
Framework Description
The London Borough of Newham runs a pseudo-dynamic purchasing system (PDPS) for homes and support for looked-after children, care leavers and young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It has four lots, from semi-independent living to independent fostering. Round 9 reopens Lot 2, Ofsted-regulated children's homes, to new applications. Public bodies listed under the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) (Public Bodies) Order 1972 can also use it.
Context & Use Case
Newham and other councils use the PDPS to place children and young people in regulated, safe accommodation matched to their assessed needs, from fostering to semi-independent living and supported lodgings for care leavers. Unlike frameworks that are closed to new applications, it reopens in rounds, so commissioners can add providers where they need more placements.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Semi-independent living services Lot 2: Children's homes regulated by Ofsted Lot 3: Supported lodgings Lot 4: Independent fostering agencies regulated by Ofsted
Lots
Yes: Lot 1 – Semi-Independent Living Services (established); Lot 2 – Children's Homes regulated by Ofsted (established); Lot 3 – Supported Lodgings; Lot 4 – Independent Fostering Agencies regulated by Ofsted
Who Can Apply
Children's home operators registered with Ofsted can apply to Lot 2 in Round 9. Semi-independent, supported lodgings and fostering providers should watch for future rounds for their lots. Providers can apply for more than one lot if they hold the right registrations.
Buyer Benefits
Reopening in rounds lets Newham bring in new children's homes when placement sufficiency is under pressure, without replacing providers already admitted. Four lots cover the full route from care to independence, and wider public sector access lets other councils use the same provider list.
Next Steps
Check the Find a Tender procurement page (ocds-h6vhtk-05f0e2) for the Round 9 notice, documents and deadline. Prepare Ofsted registration and inspection outcomes, statements of purpose, safeguarding and missing-from-care procedures, staffing and outcomes evidence. If your service sits in another lot, set up alerts for future rounds.
How Athena Can Help
Round 9 is a chance for children's home providers to get onto Newham's PDPS. Athena's PDPS application support prepares your submission, presents Ofsted and safeguarding evidence clearly and runs a compliance check.
For later competitions, our children's services bid writing strengthens quality answers, and our placement pricing advice helps you set weekly fees that councils accept and that sustain good care. We can also plan applications for future rounds if your service sits in Lots 1, 3 or 4.
