Shortbreaks and Outreach Framework for Disabled Children
Summary
Southampton City Council published a £5.4 million Short Breaks, Outreach and Support Framework tender under the Procurement Act 2023. The framework covers two lots for disabled children and young people aged up to 18: Lot 1 for Care Support and Community Outreach, and Lot 2 for Specialist Playschemes and Targeted Short Breaks. The Council is conducting Preliminary Market Engagement prior to formal procurement.
What changed
Southampton City Council has published a tender notice to establish a multi-provider Short Breaks and Outreach Framework valued at £5.4 million. The framework comprises two lots: Lot 1 covers personalised care and community-based support including personal care, delegated health tasks, communication programmes, behaviour support, and overnight respite; Lot 2 provides specialist holiday playschemes for children with substantial or complex needs who cannot access mainstream provision.
The Council is conducting Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) consultations via online events before commencing formal procurement. Interested providers should register to attend these engagement sessions to receive an overview of specifications, proposed lots, and the anticipated procurement timetable. This PME notice invites feedback and questions from potential bidders. No specific compliance deadlines are stated as this is a pre-procurement engagement phase.
What to do next
- Register for and attend the Preliminary Market Engagement consultation events to understand specification requirements
- Review proposed Lot 1 and Lot 2 service specifications and prepare feedback
- Monitor Find a Tender for the formal tender release
Source document (simplified)
Tender
Shortbreaks and Outreach Framework
- Southampton City Council UK4: Tender notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types
Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-031211
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0607c7 (view related notices)
Published 3 April 2026, 5:00pm
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Contents
Scope Lots (2)
- Lot 1. Care Support and Community Outreach Service Specification with buddy service
- Lot 2. Specialist Playschemes and Targeted Short Breaks
Framework Submission Award criteria Other information Procedure Contracting authority
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Description
Southampton City Council intends to establish a multi provider Short Breaks, Outreach and Support Framework to improve access to high quality services for children and young people with disabilities aged up to 18 years.
Before commencing the procurement, the Council is issuing this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to invite interested providers to attend online market engagement consultation events. These sessions will offer an overview of the planned Framework, specification requirements, proposed Lots, and the anticipated procurement timetable. They will also give providers the opportunity to give feedback and ask questions.
The proposed Framework will include two Lots:
Lot 1 - Care Support and Community Outreach
This Lot covers personalised care and support delivered in the home or community. Services will help children and young people with disabilities to develop independence, access their community, and maintain their wellbeing, while supporting family stability. The service will include personalised care and community based support, including personal care, delegated health tasks, communication and independence building programmes, behaviour support, community access and, where required, overnight respite. Providers must be able to offer planned, responsive and crisis support across a range of hours.
Lot 2 - Specialist Playschemes and Targeted Short Breaks
This Lot provides specialist holiday playschemes and targeted short break opportunities for children with substantial or complex needs. These are for children who cannot safely access mainstream provision due to high levels of personal care, complex health needs, autism or behaviour that challenges. Services delivered under this Lot should offer group and community-based activities that support children's social development, independence, wellbeing and enjoyment, while providing families with essential respite.
The purpose of the Framework is to deliver consistent, timely, high quality and value for money support, while strengthening family resilience and improving outcomes for children and young people with disabilities.
By approving providers onto a single Framework, the Council can quickly match a child's assessed needs with an appropriate supplier, reducing delays and enabling responsive, high quality support across the local area.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
What is an open framework?
Total value (estimated)
- £4,500,000 excluding VAT
- £5,400,000 including VAT Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2030
- Possible extension to 30 September 2032
- 6 years Description of possible extension:
Potential for 2 years extension
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Potential for extension
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
Provision of services to the community
Social work services without accommodation
Social services
Other community, social and personal services
Contract locations
- UKJ32 - Southampton
Lot 1. Care Support and Community Outreach Service Specification with buddy service
Description
The aim of Lot 1 is to develop a range of providers who can deliver personalised care and support in the home or community. The outreach service will ensure that children and young people with disabilities can develop independence skills, access their community, and maintain their wellbeing at the same time the family have a break from their caring duties.
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,250,000 excluding VAT
- £2,700,000 including VAT Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Specialist Playschemes and Targeted Short Breaks
Description
The goal of Lot 2 is to develop a range of specialist and targeted activities for children and young people in a variety of locations across the city. The activities will provide opportunities for children to try new skills things, develop their social skills and support their overall development whilst giving their parent carers a break from caring.
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,250,000 excluding VAT
- £2,700,000 including VAT Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
30 September 2032
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Please see Document 01- O.SB Framework Invitation to Tender
Award method when using the framework
With competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Submission
Enquiry deadline
24 April 2026, 11:59pm
Tender submission deadline
5 May 2026, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/login
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Quality | Quality | 100% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Southampton City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCGN-2413-RBTX Civic Centre, Civic Centre Road
Southampton
SO14 7LY
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@southampton.gov.uk
Region: UKJ32 - Southampton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Named provisions
Related changes
Source
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
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