Children's services tenders and contracts in the UK
There are 17 live children's services tenders in the UK right now, from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder. This page covers children's services, fostering, family support and youth services contracts from councils, the NHS and other public buyers. Below is what buyers are asking for, so you can see whether you qualify before you spend hours bidding.
01What buyers ask for
From the 17 live children's services tenders in the UK we have read so far.
- Minimum turnover
- Rarely stated in the notice
- Contract length
- Typically 3 years
- Suitable for SMEs
- 6 of 17 flagged by the buyer
- Frameworks & DPS
- 4 of 17
02Live children's services tenders in the UK
- Children Who Use HarmSouth Yorkshire Mayoral Combined AuthorityYorkshire and the Humber£2.6mCloses 7 daysSME
- Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support ServiceBolton Metropolitan Borough CouncilNorth WestNot statedCloses 7 days
- Children's rights, advocacy and independent visitorsStockport Metropolitan Borough CouncilNorth West£175kCloses 10 daysSME
- Youth Services FrameworkBirmingham City CouncilWest Midlands£660kCloses 11 daysFrameworkSME
- C-014237 - Medical Assessments and Advisor Reports for Fostering and Kinship CarersNewcastle City CouncilNorth EastNot statedCloses 14 days
- Community Support Framework - CAFS/2025/290Stoke on Trent City CouncilWest Midlands£320k–20mCloses 18 daysFramework
- Connect to WorkLondon Borough of LambethLondon£378k–944kCloses 21 days
- Short Breaks Services Framework (CSC25128)Worcestershire County CouncilWest Midlands£2m–15mCloses 21 daysFrameworkSME
- Tender for Community Family Help Service for Children and Families in HerefordshireHerefordshire CouncilWest Midlands£3.2mCloses 22 daysSME
- Missing Children and Independent Return Home Conversation ServiceBuckinghamshire CouncilSouth EastNot statedCloses 24 days
- West Northamptonshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Coordination and Delivery Service 2027West Northamptonshire CouncilEast Midlands£4.4mCloses 28 days
- Youth Services for Bishopstoke, Fair Oak and Horton HeathFair Oak & Horton Heath Parish CouncilSouth East£126kCloses 28 daysSME
Show 5 more tenders
- Family TimeWirral CouncilNorth WestNot statedCloses 29 days
- Services for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in HighlandThe Highland CouncilScotland£3.6mCloses 36 days
- Commissioning Homes for Children Looked After & Care Leavers PDPS - Lot 4 Rd 7London Borough of NewhamLondonNot statedCloses 123 daysFramework
- Fostering and Continuing Care Services 0924Scotland ExcelScotlandNot statedCloses Not stated
- 2701EARABO - Early Help and District LeadsBIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S TRUST COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANYWest Midlands£13mCloses Not stated
03Who is buying
- South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority 1 live tender
- Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council 1 live tender
- Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council 1 live tender
- Birmingham City Council 1 live tender
- Newcastle City Council 1 live tender
04Children's services contracts: common questions
How many children's services tenders are live in the UK?
17 right now, from 17 public buyers, with 4 closing in the next 14 days. We bring together notices from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder and refresh this page every hour.
What do buyers ask for in children's services contracts?
Few notices state a minimum turnover; it is usually set out in the tender documents. Most requirements sit in the tender documents rather than the notice, so check the pack before you bid.
Can a small business win children's services contracts?
Often, yes. 6 of the 17 live tenders in the UK are marked by the buyer as suitable for small businesses, and 4 are frameworks or dynamic purchasing systems (approved supplier lists that buyers then order from). Smaller lots and lower-value contracts are usually the best place to start. Check the minimum turnover and insurance first, as those are the checks that rule most bids out.
05Expert notes: Care
Care contracts are usually let through frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems run by councils, so joining the right list matters as much as any single tender. Buyers will expect CQC registration and a good rating, safeguarding policies, and evidence you can recruit and keep staff.
From the tenderITT tender experts. New to tendering? Read how to search Find a Tender, how to register on the Central Digital Platform and our Invitation to Tender guide.