Supported Living Services FCA (Flexible Contracting Arrangement)
Framework Description
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's Supported Living Services FCA (flexible contracting arrangement) is the route for commissioning accommodation-based care and support for adults with eligible needs. All supported living placements are routed through it, giving appointed providers an equal opportunity to bid for packages. It appears on the Council's March 2026 contract register with an end date of 30 June 2027.
Context & Use Case
When a Solihull adult needs supported living, the Council offers the package to providers on the FCA, each of whom has an equal chance to bid, and the service user can choose their provider. Commissioners favour providers that help people achieve their outcomes, stay independent and remain in their own homes for as long as possible.
Scope of Services
Supported accommodation for adults with eligible needs Care and support packages Person-centred support planning Outcome-focused support Flexible, responsive support arrangements
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits supported living providers able to evidence outcomes, service user feedback and a flexible approach to changing needs, ideally with experience in Solihull or similar areas. Whether new providers can join before 30 June 2027 depends on the arrangement's rules, so check the framework page.
Buyer Benefits
Routing every placement through one arrangement gives Solihull consistent terms, open competition between providers and a clear audit trail. Choice is built in, so commissioners value providers that people want to live with and whose support keeps tenancies stable rather than escalating to costlier care.
Next Steps
If you are on the FCA, answer each package offer with a clear support plan, staffing proposal and price, and track which bids succeed. If you are not, check with the Council whether the FCA admits new providers before it ends on 30 June 2027; if it does not, prepare for any replacement arrangement. Start collecting outcome data and service user testimonials now.
How Athena Can Help
With every Solihull supported living package competed among FCA providers, small improvements in how you present support plans and pricing add up. Athena's bid writing service can create reusable, high-scoring content for package bids and model where competitors are winning.
With the arrangement due to end on 30 June 2027, our framework onboarding support can prepare you for any replacement, and our bid for the bid planning makes sure your evidence and pricing are ready well before a new procurement opens.
