The Fostering Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) is the regional contract to facilitate the commissioning of high quality Fostering Placements for Children and Young People. We are looking to knowledgeable and experienced providers to work with us to transform the lives of children, enabling them to break down barriers and turn challenging situations into positive ones. 

Contract start date: 01 April 2018

Contract end date: 31 March 2028

Lead authority: Trafford

Indicative date for next opening: 

• Round 16 January 2025
• Round 17 July 2025

Named authorities: Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumberland, Halton, Knowsley, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, St Helens, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington, Westmorland and Furness, Wigan and Wirral. 

Registering for the North West Fostering FPS

Register on to the Pro North portal (chest) if you are not already, and then register for the Fostering Flexible Purchasing System. 
During registration you will need to select the option to receive notifications for category reference 321100 - Social Community Care Supplies & Services – Children. Information relating to this contract will be advertised under this category including adverts for opening the purchasing system. 
Link to register for the Chest: https://procontract.due-north.com 

The name of the purchasing system is: CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE FOSTER CARE Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) 
Project information: DN319102

Additional Fostering information

Fostering FPS FAQs

Fostering FPS documents (commissioning teams only)

Fostering FPS management (commissioning teams only)

Fostering FPS governance (commissioning teams only)

Contact Placements North West: placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk

The Residential Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) is the regional contract to facilitate the commissioning of high quality Residential Placements for Children and Young People. We are looking to knowledgeable and experienced providers to work with us to transform the lives of children, enabling them to break down barriers and turn challenging situations into positive ones. 

Contract start date: 01 January 2018

Contract end date: January 2028

Lead authority: Trafford

Indicative dates for opening:

• Round 14 September 2024
• Round 15 March 2025

Named authorities: Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumberland, Halton, Knowsley, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, St Helens, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington, Westmorland and Furness, Wigan and Wirral. 

Registering for the North West Residential FPS

Register on to the Pro North portal (chest) if you are not already, and then register for the Residential Flexible Purchasing System. 
During registration you will need to select the option to receive notifications for category reference 321100 - Social Community Care Supplies & Services – Children. Information relating to this contract will be advertised under this category including adverts for opening the purchasing system. 
Link to register for the Chest: https://procontract.due-north.com

The name of the purchasing system is: Children and Young People’s Residential Placements Flexible Procurement System
Project information: DN299325 

Additional Residential information

Residential FPS provider information

Residential FPS documents (commissioning teams only)

Residential FPS management (commissioning teams only)

Residential FPS governance (commissioning teams only)

Contact Placements North West: placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk

Contract start date: 01 November 2023

Contract end date: 31st October 2031

Lead authority: Bolton

Indicative dates for opening:

• Round 3 January 2025
• Round 4 January 2026

Named authorities: Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumberland, Halton, Knowsley, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, St Helens, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington, Westmorland and Furness, Wigan and Wirral. 

Registering for the North West Supported Accommodation (Young People)

This contract is coming to an end. To register for notifications on the new arrangements please sign up for the Chest as below.

During registration you will need to select the option to receive notifications for category reference 321100 - Social Community Care Supplies & Services – Children. Information relating to this contract will be advertised under this category including adverts for opening the purchasing system. 
Link to register for the Chest: https://procontract.due-north.com 

The name of the purchasing system is: TC160 - Supported Accommodation (Young People) Flexible Purchasing System
Project information:  TBC

Contact Placements North West: placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk

FAQs

Will providers already on the DPS transfer automatically to the new arrangements? 
No, you will need to tender again to join the new contract.

What will happen to current placements made under the existing DPS? 
These will stand, you can choose to novate them and move them to the new contract but this is not required.

How will I receive notification about the tender opportunity being advertised? 
We will advertise via the Chest and you will need to be registered for this platform. The advert will be placed under category reference 321100 - Social Community Care Supplies & Services – Children. Link to register for the Chest: https://procontract.due-north.com

This contract will facilitate the commissioning of high quality day and residential Education Placements for Children and Young People, aged 0-25 years old.

Contract start date: March 2021

Contract end date: February 2031 (estimated)

Lead authority: Cheshire East

Registering for the North West SEND FPS

Register on to the Pro North portal (chest) if you are not already, and then register for the SEND Flexible Purchasing System. 
During registration you will need to select the option to receive notifications for category reference 321100 - Social Community Care Supplies & Services – Children. Information relating to this contract will be advertised under this category including adverts for opening the purchasing system. 
Link to register for the Chest: https://procontract.due-north.com 

The name of the purchasing system is: North West Flexible Purchasing System for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) 
Project information: DN505246

Indicative dates for opening:

• Round 6 September 2024
• Round 7 September 2025

Named authorities: Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumberland, Halton, Knowsley, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, St Helens, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington, Westmorland and Furness, Wigan and Wirral. 

Additional SEND information

SEND FPS FAQs

SEND FPS Parent carer information

SEND FPS provider engagement 

SEND FPS provider guidance and bulletins

SEND FPS documents (commissioning teams only)

SEND FPS management (commissioning teams only)

SEND FPS guidance (commissioning teams only)

Contact Placements North West: placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk

NWADCS monitor the contracts over their lifetime. This includes:

• Maintaining up to date organisation, referral and pricing information. 
• Recording that providers hold the appropriate levels of insurance.
• Asking providers to complete an annual checklist re-confirming information submitted at tender. A copy of this checklist can be found here for information. 

A sub-regional Children's commissioning arrangement providing residential and foster care placements across the region. This is the primary route to market for LCR Local Authorities to source Children’s residential and foster care placements.

Contract start date: 1 December 2020

Contract end date: 30 November 2030

Lead authority: Halton

Named authorities: Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral

Contact details: (to be updated)

Lancashire Flexible Agreement for the provision of Fostering Agency Placements 

The provision of agency foster care services for children and young people (CYP) looked after by the sub-regional authorities.

Contract start date: 5 June 2022

Contract end date: 4th May 2031

Contact details: Policy, Information and Commissioning Service: cypcommissioningadmin@lancashire.gov.uk

More details: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/flexible-agreement-for-the-provision-of-fostering-agency-placements-lcc10033/

Named Authorities: Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen, Cumbria (Cumberland Council and, Westmorland and Furness Council), Lancashire.

Lancashire Pseudo Dynamic Purchasing System (PDPS) for the provision of Childrens Home Services

The provision of agency residential care services for children and young people (CYP) looked after by Lancashire County Council.

Contract start date: 1 August 2022

Contract end date: 31 July 2032

Contact details: Policy, Information and Commissioning Service: cypcommissioningadmin@lancashire.gov.uk

More details: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/business/tenders-and-procurement/tenders/pseudo-dynamic-purchasing-system-pdps-for-the-provision-of-childrens-home-services-lcc10031/

Named Authorities: Blackpool, Lancashire.

Contract start date: 01 April 2020

Contract end date: 1 July 2024 

Lead authority: Bolton

Named authorities: Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bury, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Cumberland, Halton, Knowsley, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, St Helens, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington, Westmorland and Furness, Wigan and Wirral. 

Registering for the North West SaILS DPS

This contract has come to an end. To register for notifications on the new arrangements please sign up for the Chest as below.

During registration you will need to select the option to receive notifications for category reference 321100 - Social Community Care Supplies & Services – Children. Information relating to this contract will be advertised under this category including adverts for opening the purchasing system. 
Link to register for the Chest: https://procontract.due-north.com 

The name of the purchasing system is: TC080 - Supported and Independent Living (SaIL) Placement North West Flexible Purchasing System
Project information:  DN436233

Additional SaILS information

SaILS DPS FAQs

Minimum Standards

SaILS DPS documents (commissioning teams only)

SaILS DPS management (commissioning teams only)

SaILS DPS governance (commissioning teams only)

SaILS DPS provider engagement 

Contact Placements North West: placementsnorthwest@stockport.gov.uk