Children’s Home Collaborative Project Framework

Descriptions

West Sussex County Council invites existing and prospective children’s home providers to take part in an online market engagement session on Wednesday 23rd October 2025 at 10:00 – 12:00 as we continue to develop the Children’s Home Collaborative project.

This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not the start of a procurement procedure, nor a call for expressions of interest. The session will set out our vision for the Children’s Home Collaborative, provide information on our commissioning approach and indicative timescales, and explain how the principles of the Procurement Act 2023 will underpin the process.

It will also be an opportunity for providers to share insight on service models, market capacity, and challenges, and to discuss how we can work together to deliver local, safe, high-quality, and sustainable residential care for children and young people.

The session will be of particular interest to Ofsted-registered providers, organisations considering opening new children’s homes, and wider stakeholders who want to support residential care in West Sussex and the surrounding area.

How to register: To confirm your attendance, please email Childrens.Home.Collaborative@westsussex.gov.uk with your name, role, organisation, and whether your service currently operates children’s homes in West Sussex. Joining details will be shared following registration.

Participation in this event will not give any advantage or disadvantage in future procurement activity.

Any opportunities will be advertised separately in line with the Procurement Act 2023.