Short Breaks Services Framework
Framework Description
Worcestershire County Council is procuring a Short Breaks Services Framework for children with disabilities and their families. Lots 1 and 2, overnight fostering and overnight residential short breaks, open as a new framework from November 2026. Lots 3 and 4, domiciliary care and short breaks support workers, stay on the existing DPS until February 2027 and then move to the framework. It runs to 31 October 2034, and every lot reopens yearly.
Context & Use Case
The council buys short breaks to meet its Sufficiency Duty, giving families a rest from caring and giving children new experiences and support. Services range from overnight stays with foster carers or in residential settings to daytime help at home. Children's social care commissioners match breaks to each child's assessed needs and family circumstances.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: overnight fostering short breaks Lot 2: overnight residential short breaks Lot 3: domiciliary care Lot 4: short breaks support workers
Lots
Lot 1 - Overnight Fostering Short Breaks; Lot 2 - Overnight Residential Short Breaks; Lot 3 - Domiciliary Care; Lot 4 - Short Breaks Support Workers
Who Can Apply
Fostering agencies, registered children's homes, domiciliary care agencies and support worker providers with the right Ofsted or CQC registration. The framework is being procured now: providers for Lots 1 and 2 should bid in the first round, and those for Lots 3 and 4 should prepare for when those lots move to the framework.
Buyer Benefits
Bringing short breaks onto one framework gives the council a consistent set of approved providers across overnight and daytime services. Yearly reopenings let it add capacity where families are waiting, and pre-checked providers mean breaks can be arranged quickly when a family's situation changes.
Next Steps
Read the Find a Tender notice (096769-2026) for the timetable for Lots 1 and 2. Providers on the current DPS for domiciliary care or support workers should prepare to apply when Lots 3 and 4 move to the framework after February 2027. Gather registration details, safeguarding evidence and examples of outcomes for disabled children.
How Athena Can Help
Athena's bid planning and writing support can help you get ready for the Lots 1 and 2 tender, building responses around safeguarding and children's outcomes.
For Lots 3 and 4, our framework transition support can prepare your application when those lots move across. Our children's services bid advice helps you decide which lots match your registration and your capacity. We can also review your draft with a health check, so weak or non-compliant answers are fixed before the first round closes.
