Bid writing · Specialism
Children's services tenders.
Residential homes, fostering, 16+ supported accommodation, short breaks and edge-of-care support. The most heavily scrutinised corner of social care procurement.
Placement stability decides these bids.
In adult services, evaluators probe capacity and continuity. In children's services, one question usually outweighs everything else: how often do your placements break down, and what causes it?
Local authorities have been badly burned by emergency moves. A child moved three times in a year costs the council money, costs the child far more, and lands in an Ofsted inspection. Panels are looking for providers who can evidence stability rather than promise it.
The other weighting that surprises providers is regulatory. Ofsted registration and rating operate as a gate on most children's frameworks, and since the 2023 changes to supported accommodation, 16+ provision requires Ofsted registration too. We check that before you write anything.
- ResidentialChildren's homes, solo and multi-occupancy, including complex and therapeutic
- 16+Supported accommodation and semi-independent living for care leavers
- FosteringIndependent fostering agency frameworks and specialist placements
- Short breaksOvernight and daytime respite for children with disabilities
- HomecareDomiciliary support for children with disabilities and complex health needs
- Edge of careFamily support, intensive outreach and reunification services
What panels probe
Six themes, weighted for children.
Adult service answers do not transfer. The tests are different and the language is different.
Placement stability
Breakdown rate, the reasons behind it, and what you changed. Usually the highest-weighted question in the pack, and the one most providers answer defensively rather than honestly.
Safeguarding & Ofsted
Registration status, current rating, any restrictions, and what you did about the last inspection finding. Frequently a pass/fail gate rather than a scored item.
Therapeutic model
Your named model, who trained the staff in it, how supervision reinforces it, and evidence of a specific child whose outcomes improved.
Education & outcomes
Attendance, EHCP support, transitions, and progress against a starting baseline rather than against other children.
Restrictive practice
Physical intervention rates, de-escalation training, reduction plans, and how incidents are reviewed rather than just logged.
Voice of the child
How young people shape their care plan, the house, staff recruitment and complaints. Panels look for mechanisms, not sentiment.
Evidenced
Children's awards on file.
Children's Community Care Framework
Light touch framework award under section 50 of the Procurement Act 2023, in one of the first cohorts assessed under the new regime.
Short Breaks & Domiciliary Care for Children with Disabilities
Framework place awarded for domiciliary care, on a term running to 2025 with extension options.
Children's Residential & Accommodation Framework
Place awarded across three sub-lots of Lot 2 for 18+ provision following full evaluation.
Got a tender with a deadline on it?
Send the closing date and the portal link. We'll tell you honestly whether it's worth your time, before you pay us anything.