Procurement for Semi-independent Living and Supported Accommodation Services for Looked after Children and Care Leavers Aged 16-24 2021
Estimated Value
Up to £0
Deadline
9 July 2026
Published
16 December 2025
Type
Not specified
Overview
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is a not-for-profit private limited company that is wholly owned by Reading Borough Council. BFfC was established in December 2018 and has a single purpose which is to provide the best possible services to children, young people and families in Reading.
BFfC has the statutory responsibility, on behalf of the council, for the delivery of children’s social care, education, Youth Offending, Special Educational needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Early Help (both interventions and prevention). The BFfC Board has overall responsibility for overseeing how the organisation is run and providing advice on its future direction and strategy.
There are seven members on the board including a Chair, Managing Director, Executive Directors and Expert Non-Executive Directors. Brighter Futures for Children currently uses a framework of approved providers to identify placements for young people aged 16 and over, requiring supported accommodation.
Key dates
- Commences
- 19th August 2021
Additional details
This ITT is for a 4 year Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), with an option to extend for up to 24 months. The DPS is expected to commence on 19th August 2021 to provide the specified services to Reading young people.
The aim of this service is to make a successful transition progressing young people towards independent living by providing high quality accommodation and support whilst facilitating their personal well-being, ensuring safety and equipping them with the skills required to sustain an independent tenancy long term. The service aims to provide a settled period in a safe environment where the young people will receive an intensive housing management and support service which will help them gain the necessary skills to live independently and achieve positive outcomes.
The service includes a range of accommodation and support options for vulnerable young people, ranging from buildings based supported accommodation with staff on site to supported lodgings within the homes of trained hosts through to flexible outreach support to support young people wherever they live. The Service Provider will provide accommodation and/or support for the following client groups: • Looked after children aged 16 plus including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Minors • Care leavers (16-17) • Care leavers aged 18 plus who are awaiting access to social or private rented housing or whose needs require them to retain the accommodation and support. Originally published 07/04/2021 under following Contract notice Publication reference: 2021/S 000-007117 https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007117-2021
AI Analysis
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Brighter Futures for Children (a Reading Council organisation) is looking for accommodation and support providers for vulnerable young people aged 16-24 who are in the care system or leaving care. You'd be offering a mix of staffed housing, supported lodgings, and outreach support to help these young people learn to live independently over a 4-year period.
Requirements
- Ability to provide accommodation and/or support services (not necessarily both)
- Experience working with looked after children aged 16 and over
- Experience supporting care leavers aged 16-24
- Ability to work with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Minors (UASM)
- Compliance with safeguarding standards for vulnerable young people
- Suitable premises if offering building-based accommodation (staff on-site)
- Trained hosts if offering supported lodgings placements
- Capacity to deliver flexible outreach support where required
- Understanding of progression towards independent living outcomes
- Ability to meet contract start date of 19th August 2021
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Provide building-based supported accommodation with on-site staff for young people
- Recruit, train and manage supported lodging hosts who take young people into their homes
- Deliver flexible outreach support to young people in their own accommodation
- Create safe, settled environments where young people can develop independent living skills
- Provide intensive housing management and practical support
- Support young people's personal wellbeing and safety
- Equip young people with skills to sustain an independent tenancy long-term
- Facilitate progression from supported accommodation to independent housing (social or private rented)
- Achieve positive outcomes for young people in care and care leavers
- Work with the council's existing approved provider framework
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is a 'Dynamic Purchasing System' (DPS) — think of it as an approved list rather than a one-off contract. Once you're on it, the council calls on you as needed rather than placing one big order upfront. You may never be used, or you might support 20 young people — it depends on demand.
- 2The contract runs 4 years (August 2021 onwards) with a possible 2-year extension — this is a long-term commitment, so think about whether you can sustain this service level.
- 3Three different service types are mentioned (staffed buildings, supported lodgings, outreach) — you don't have to do all three. Be clear in your bid which you can actually deliver and where your expertise lies.
- 4This is for vulnerable children in the care system — safeguarding will be a major focus. The council will scrutinise your policies, training, DBS checks, and child protection experience heavily. Budget for robust compliance.
- 5Look for the full tender document (reference 2021/S 000-007117) on Find a Tender — the notice above is just an overview. The actual ITT pack will detail pricing, quality scoring, social value expectations, and evaluation criteria.
Tips for Small Businesses
- If you only offer one service type (e.g., just supported lodgings), you can still bid — you don't need to offer everything. However, highlighting flexibility in your offer (even if delivered through partners) may score better on quality.
- Consider partnering with complementary providers — for example, a supported lodgings provider could subcontract the outreach support element to a specialist organisation. This broadens what you can offer without building new infrastructure.
- Social value will likely be scored — Reading Council is a local authority, so think about apprenticeships, local employment, community benefits, and impact on young people's long-term outcomes. These can genuinely differentiate your bid.
- DPS contracts often have lower barriers to entry than traditional tenders because providers are added as needed rather than all competing for one big block. This could suit a smaller, specialist provider better than a large organisation.
Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
Civica Election Services
- 2
TSG Building Services PLC
Civica Election Services is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
Actions
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Key Dates
Published
16 December 2025
Submission deadline
9 July 2026
Source
council:reading-borough-council
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