Hampshire County Council Independent Fostering Agencies Contract Notice

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Published March 10th, 2026

Detected March 11th, 2026

Summary

Hampshire County Council has published a contract notice seeking to commission independent fostering agencies (IFAs) to support its looked-after children. The notice, published on March 10, 2026, establishes a new framework under the Procurement Act 2023, which will be open for initial award and subsequently reopened in January 2026.

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What changed

Hampshire County Council has issued a contract notice (Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-021575) to establish a new framework for independent fostering agencies (IFAs). This framework, operating under the flexibilities of the Procurement Act 2023, aims to commission a range of fostering services, including standard placements, parent & child placements, and placements for children with complex needs or disabilities. The council prioritizes securing local placements for Hampshire children to maintain their support networks.

Independent fostering agencies interested in providing services should review the notice and prepare to respond to the call-off contracts. The framework will be open for initial award and will reopen in January 2026, with no limit on the number of successful suppliers. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned for potential suppliers to act by, the notice indicates the framework will be open for an initial period and then reopened. This represents a significant opportunity for agencies to contract with the council for child welfare services.

What to do next

Review the contract notice for Hampshire County Council's Independent Fostering Agencies framework.
Assess eligibility criteria for the framework and potential call-off contracts.
Prepare to submit proposals if seeking to become a commissioned IFA.

Source document (simplified)

Contract

Independent Fostering Agencies

Hampshire County Council UK7: Contract details notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-021575

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04fe75 (view related notices)

Published 10 March 2026, 9:14pm

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Scope Framework Contract 5. Independent Fostering Agencies Other information Procedure Supplier Contracting authority

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Reference

CS26629

Description

Hampshire County Council's Children Services Directorate is seeking to commission a range of IFA (independent fostering agencies) to support our looked after children cohort.

The new framework will as a minimum include fostering arrangements for;

Standard Foster Placements including Respite

Parent & Child Foster Placements

Children with Complex/Challenging Behaviours

Children with Disabilities/Complex Healthcare Needs

Separated Children

This list is not exhaustive and the framework will be flexible to capture additional fostering requirements that may emerge.

The Framework is being established as a light touch framework using the flexibilities allowed under the Procurement Act 2023. The Framework will be open for the initial period as set out in paragraph 4.1. Following the initial award it will then be reopened in January 2026 and remain open for the initial term.

The priority of any arrangements will be to secure Hampshire placements for Hampshire children and Young People to support with their education, training, contact, and in order to maintain other existing support networks such as friends and other family members.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Framework

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

Framework operation description

The Council will establish the framework as an overarching vehicle and will then run either multiple call offs or one lotted call off for the 5 service areas. All suppliers who meet the criteria will be awarded a call off contract, the numbers will not be limited.

Suppliers that are successful at call off will then be eligible to see referrals for the services which they have applied for. The criteria the Council will follow when making a placement will be included in the call off. The Framework is being established as a light touch framework using the flexibilities allowed under the Procurement Act 2023. The Framework will be open for the initial period as set out in paragraph 4.1. Following the initial award it will then be reopened in January 2026 and remain open for the initial term.