GMCA 2201: NW Regional Children’s Services Contract

There are four regional purchasing systems operated by NWADCS on behalf of the 24 North West authorities, these date back to 2009 for the first regional residential contract. These arrangements now include over 500 providers and at any one time over 3000 children are living in homes sourced via a regional contract.

The planned contract end dates were January 2028 for Residential, March 2028 for Fostering, February 2031 for SENDAP and October 2031 for Supported Accommodation. As a result of changes in the operating context, including the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 we are reviewing all four arrangements at the same time.

Through this work we are aiming for: Reduced duplication in procurement activity across the region. Improved transparency and oversight.

Better understanding of sufficiency. Improved approach to pricing and uplifts.

Local and sub regional collaboration. The new contracts will replace the current arrangements.

We cannot transfer providers onto any new contracts so you will need to apply to join. Currently there are three ‘lead authorities’, Bolton, Cheshire East and Trafford.

Current suppliers will have dealt with these authorities when they applied to join the purchasing system. All new arrangements will have Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) as the lead authority.

There is a significant amount of work involved in developing the new arrangements. We want to ensure we have addressed as many of the challenges providers have already raised during consultation as possible.

As soon as we have a timeline in place this will be shared, and we are working towards a contract award in August 2026. The GMCA will be hosting a series of engagement sessions throughout November 2026.

These engagement opportunities are in place to support providers being able to effectively contribute to the development of the new regional contracts for the North West. NWADCS have welcomed the spirit in which providers have participated in the early market engagement and the progress this has brought in better understanding the challenges faced in the sector and how our contracting arrangements can support effective working relationships with authorities.

We are seeking input from a range of providers, with a range of opportunities to contribute, recognising that in particular smaller providers may find it challenging to take the time to participate. Current Local Authorities Participating include - Blackburn with Darwen Council Blackpool Council Bolton Council Bury Council Cheshire East Council Cheshire West and Chester Council Cumberland Council Halton Borough Council Knowsley Council Lancashire County Council.

Liverpool City Council Manchester City Council Oldham Council Rochdale Borough Council Salford City Council Sefton Council St Helens Council Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Trafford Council Warrington Borough Council Westmorland and Furness Council Wigan Council. Wirral Council Plus any company in which any of the above local authorities is a shareholder (as sole shareholder or as a co-shareholder with any of the above local authorities and/or any other contracting authority); and Which at the time meets the requirements of regulation 12(1) of the Public Contracts Regulation 2015.