Independent Review Mechanism (IRM)_ Market Engagement Event
Department for EducationEstimated Value
Up to £800,000
Deadline
Not specified
Published
25 September 2026
Type
Not specified
Overview
The Department for Education is exploring options for the future delivery of the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), a statutory service that provides an independent review route for prospective and existing foster parents, adopters, and adult adoptees. The IRM enables applicants to request an independent review of certain decisions made by fostering and adoption services, including decisions relating to approval status and access to records.
Cases are considered by independent panels comprising experienced children's social care professionals, ensuring an impartial and objective review process. The Department is seeking market feedback to inform the future service model, delivery approach, and commercial strategy.
The service plays a key role in supporting transparency, fairness, and confidence in fostering and adoption decision-making processes across England. Please note: This notice relates to pre-procurement market engagement only and does not constitute the commencement of a procurement process.
Additional details
Any future procurement opportunity will be advertised separately. The scope, requirements, and estimated contract value may be subject to change following market engagement.
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Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
Mclaren Construction Limited
4 contracts wonlatest 6 Oct 2026ends 9 May 2031£22bn
total awarded
- 2
Kings College London
£18m
total awarded
- 3
Tilbury Douglas Construction Limited
4 contracts wonlatest 25 Aug 2026£22bn
total awarded
- 4
Bloom Procurement Services Ltd
4 contracts wonlatest 17 Jan 2026£171,768
total awarded
- 5
Mott MacDonald Limited
3 contracts wonlatest 1 Oct 2026ends 31 May 2029£4m
total awarded
Mclaren Construction Limited is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
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two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
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Buyer Profile
Department for EducationKey Dates
Published
25 September 2026
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
planning
Source
find a tender
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