Market Engagement Event Follow Up for SEND Short Breaks and Personal Care Services for Children in the Bradford District

The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (the Council) is working with Bradford Children and Families Trust and partners from across the system to transform Short Break Services for children with disabilities or complex health needs and special educational needs. As part of this transformation the Council intends to recommission SEND Short Breaks and Personal Care services for children through the development of an 8 year Open Framework.

A previous Market Engagement Event was held by the Council on 6th November 2025 13.30-14.30 on MS Teams. Following feedback from this event, we have refined the plans for the framework and would like to hold a bidders information event to support providers to understand the process.

This will include how to apply to join the framework and the arrangements for the call off process for commissioning of individual packages and block arrangements. This event will take place on 15th January 2025 14.00-15.00.

Please visit YORtender, where you will find the slides from the previous event, now updated with an indicative procurement timeline. We would be grateful if providers could also complete a survey indicating your area of interest and which Lots you are likely to apply for (YORtender) Lots The Lots and indicative values (excluding VAT) are included below.

It is important to note that the value of each Lot exceeds the budget available as flexibility will be required to respond to the individual needs of children across the lifetime of the framework. This work represents a significant transformation with an increased emphasis on activity-based short breaks.

The indicative maximum value of the Lots reflects this and the degree to which regulated / unregulated services will be utilised i.e. the volume of activity within Lots 2 and 3 will be subject to variation. The maximum annual indicative value of this Lot is £722,680.

The current projected annual spend for 25/6 is £578,144. Activities may take place in the community, provider settings or within settings such as special schools or Family Hubs etc. Children accessing this type of support may need for support with personal care whilst attending activities, therefore requiring providers to be Ofsted or CQC registered (see Statutory guidance on how to safeguard and promote the welfare of disabled children using short breaks).

The age of the child, length of time and frequency of support to be delivered will also determine whether the service requires Ofsted registration. Unless they care for at least one child for over 2 hours per day providers cannot register, unless it is immediately before or after school.

Providing childcare and the 2-hour rule - GOV.UK. The maximum annual indicative value of this Lot is £1,690,658.

The current projected annual spend for 25/6 is £1,416,196. It should be noted that it is anticipated that there will be a significant increase in activity based provision within this Lot.

It should be noted that it is anticipated that there will be a significant increase in unregulated activity based provision in line with the proposed transformation during the lifetime of the framework. It is strongly recommended that all prospective providers complete the Microsoft Questionnaire link below prior to the tender going live.

This is designed to provide the Service with all relevant background information regarding the current delivery of services by your organisation. The survey link will close at 17:30 GMT on 16th January 2026. Market Engagement SEND Short Breaks Open Framework Bradford – Collaboration