Provision Of Care And Support At Home Services Framework Re Opening
Framework Description
West Sussex County Council's Care and Support at Home Framework started in September 2024 and replaced all of the council's earlier domiciliary care and support-at-home framework agreements. More than 120 providers were approved at the first tender, and the framework is valued at around £305m. It is a single-lot framework that the council has reopened so new providers can be added and existing ones can improve their position.
Context & Use Case
The council commissions home care packages for adults across West Sussex through this framework. Packages are awarded first on a provider's ability to meet the customer's needs, then on the lowest hourly cost at the provider's standard or enhanced rate. That means a provider's capacity in an area and its hourly rates directly affect how much work it receives.
Scope of Services
Care and support in people's own homes Domiciliary care packages for West Sussex residents Support to help people stay independent at home
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
CQC-registered home care providers able to take packages in parts of West Sussex. Because the framework reopens rather than closing for its whole term, providers not yet on it may be able to apply at a future reopening. Check the framework page for when the next window opens.
Buyer Benefits
With over 120 approved providers, the council can usually find someone able to start a package quickly in the right area. Ranking first on ability to meet need and then on hourly rate keeps prices competitive without letting cost override care. Reopening the framework lets the council add capacity in areas where supply is short.
Next Steps
Check the Find a Tender notice (011759-2024) and the council's procurement pages for the next reopening date. Before it opens, map the areas where you have carers available, set standard and enhanced hourly rates you can sustain, and gather your CQC rating, safeguarding policy and workforce data. Existing providers should review their rates at each reopening.
How Athena Can Help
When the framework next reopens, Athena can prepare your application through our framework application service, covering the selection questions, quality responses and the policies the council asks for.
Because packages go to the provider that can meet need at the lowest hourly rate, pricing matters. Our bid team builds pricing models that compete for packages and still cover your care workers' costs, and our bidding support for care providers helps you plan for the reopening well before the deadline.
