Independent Fostering Agency (Ifa) Retainer Block Tender - 142770525

Procurement Summary

Country: United Kingdom

Summary: Independent Fostering Agency (Ifa) Retainer Block Pilot

Deadline: 21 Aug 2026

Posting Date: 06 Jun 2026

Other Information

Notice Type: Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 142770525

Document Ref. No.: 26-S-008

Competition: ICB

Financier: Self Financed

Purchaser Ownership: Public

Tender Value: Refer Document

CPV Classification

85310000 - Social work services
85320000 - Social services

Purchaser's Detail

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Tender Details

Reading Borough Council is undertaking a soft market testing and engagement exercise to explore a new commissioning approach for securing local foster care capacity through a retainer based block model. The Council is seeking early engagement with Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) to test whether this approach is viable in the current market, particularly in relation to the availability of carers within a 20 mile radius of Reading Civic Centre, and to understand whether the model is operationally practical and commercially attractive to providers. This exercise will also support a co design process with the market, enabling providers to help shape and refine the proposed model, service expectations, and delivery approach ahead of any potential procurement. The Council is particularly keen to work collaboratively to ensure that any future model is realistic, deliverable, and aligned with market capacity and provider insight. This PIN forms part of a structured pre procurement engagement process and is intended to inform decision making on whether to proceed to a pilot and how the model should be designed. Who Should Engage We welcome interest from: • IFAs with existing or potential carers in the Reading area • Providers able to support local placement development • Organisations interested in collaborative model design
Notice identifier : 2026/S 000-053342
CPV classifications: 85310000 - Social work services85320000 - Social services

Documents

 Tender Notice