Children’s 16+ Supported Accommodation Placements DPS
Framework Description
South Gloucestershire Council runs this Dynamic Purchasing System for supported accommodation placements for young people aged 16 and over, on behalf of the Southwest Regional Consortia of local authorities. It is the route through which consortium councils buy safe, supported homes for young people in care as they move towards adulthood. The DPS runs until 31 March 2027 and remains open to new providers.
Context & Use Case
Children's services in the participating South West councils use it when a looked-after young person aged 16 or over needs a supported accommodation placement. Working through one DPS lets the councils share a provider base, talk to the market with one voice and compare quality and cost. Placements are sourced from admitted providers as each young person's needs arise.
Scope of Services
Supported accommodation placements for young people aged 16+ Support to build independent living skills Access to education and vocational opportunities Health and wellbeing support, including mental health Social and community integration
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits providers of supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds in care, including housing associations and specialist support organisations; providers in England must be registered with Ofsted for this work. As a DPS it is open, so providers can apply now, before it ends on 31 March 2027.
Buyer Benefits
A consortium DPS gives councils a larger, quality-checked pool of placements than one authority could build alone, which matters when a young person needs a home at short notice. New providers can join throughout, adding capacity where supply is tight, and shared standards help councils compare cost and outcomes.
Next Steps
Read Find a Tender notice 012097-2024 and South Gloucestershire Council's DPS documents, then apply while it is open. Prepare your Ofsted registration, safeguarding policies, staffing model, property details and outcomes for young people. With the DPS ending on 31 March 2027, also watch for the consortium's replacement arrangement, likely to be procured before then.
How Athena Can Help
Councils placing 16 and 17-year-olds look closely at safeguarding, staffing and outcomes. Athena's support for joining a DPS like this prepares your submission to the Southwest Regional Consortia, from selection questions to policies, and checks it for compliance.
Once admitted, our placement bid writing helps you respond to placement requests persuasively, and with the DPS ending in March 2027, our bid/no-bid and planning advice prepares you for the replacement procurement.
