Foster Agencies Provision Contract Opportunity

Contracts Finder - Open Opportunities

Published March 13th, 2026

Detected March 13th, 2026

Summary

Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire Councils are re-opening an Approved Provider List (APL) for independent fostering agencies. The contract is valued at £118 million and closes for applications on April 14, 2026.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

Multiple UK councils have published an open tender for independent fostering agencies to join an Approved Provider List (APL) for services across England. The contract is valued at £118,000,000 and is open for applications until April 14, 2026. The APL aims to ensure timely and appropriate foster care placements for children looked after by the participating authorities. Providers must be Ofsted registered as 'Good' or 'Outstanding' and comply with safeguarding guidance.

Interested and eligible fostering agencies should submit their tenders by the closing date of April 14, 2026. The contract is expected to commence on June 1, 2026, and conclude by March 31, 2035. This procurement is conducted under the Light Touch Regime of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. While no direct penalties are mentioned for non-application, failure to secure a place on the APL would prevent agencies from being contracted for these services.

What to do next

Review tender requirements for independent fostering agencies.
Submit applications by the closing date of April 14, 2026.
Ensure Ofsted registration is 'Good' or 'Outstanding' and compliance with safeguarding guidance.

Source document (simplified)

Published date: 13 March 2026

Open opportunity - This means that the contract is currently active, and the buying department is looking for potential suppliers to fulfil the contract.

Watch this notice Print this notice Closing: 14 April 2026, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

Social work services with accommodation - 85311000

Location of contract

England

Value of contract

£118,000,000

Procurement reference

LUTON001-DN807169-14658697

Published date

13 March 2026

Closing date

14 April 2026

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

1 June 2026

Contract end date

31 March 2035

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

What is an open procedure (above threshold)? Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Luton, Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Councils are working collaboratively to re-open and expand the Approved Provider List (APL) for Independent Fostering Agencies to serve all authorities. The APL will support the authorities to deliver suitable foster care placements at the right time, in the right location and with the right support, to improve the overall outcomes for children looked after.

We are seeking independent Foster Care provision must be in in Beds/Herts and surrounding areas eg Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire. Providers must be Ofsted registered as Good or Outstanding and act in accordance with the guidance contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and any subsequent guidance.

An Approved Provider List (APL) was commissioned in 2025 and this is a re-opening of the APL to allow further providers to join.

This is being procured under the Light Touch Regime under Public Contract Regulations 2015 as the original APL was procured before the Procurement Act 2023 came into force.