Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13b92-b629-71f8-a373-6e7f478a0321/gmca-2201-nw-regional-childrens-services-contract

pending GB open procedure

# GMCA 2201: NW Regional Children's Services Contract

[Greater Manchester Combined Authority](https://tendernation.io/buyers/greater-manchester-combined-authority)

Estimated value

£13,891,659,564

Published

12 Oct 2026

Deadline

Rolling deadline

## Who can bid

- Sets up a framework

    Winning a place does not guarantee work: contracts are awarded later as call-offs, and the list usually stays closed for years.
- Open procedure

    Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage.

## About this tender

There are four regional purchasing systems operated by NWADCS on behalf of the 24 North West authorities, these date back to 2009 for the first regional residential contract. These arrangements now include over 500 providers and at any one time over 3000 children are living in homes sourced via a regional contract.

The planned contract end dates were January 2028 for Residential, March 2028 for Fostering, February 2031 for SENDAP and October 2031 for Supported Accommodation. As a result of changes in the operating context, including the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 we are reviewing all four arrangements at the same time.

Through this work we are aiming for:

Reduced duplication in procurement activity across the region.

Improved transparency and oversight.

Better understanding of sufficiency.

Improved approach to pricing and uplifts.

Local and sub regional collaboration.

The new contracts will replace the current arrangements. We cannot transfer providers onto any new contracts so you will need to apply to join.

Currently there are three 'lead authorities', Bolton, Cheshire East and Trafford. Current suppliers will have dealt with these authorities when they applied to join the purchasing system. All new arrangements will have Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) as the lead authority.

There is a significant amount of work involved in developing the new arrangements. We want to ensure we have addressed as many of the challenges providers have already raised during consultation as possible. As soon as we have a timeline in place this will be shared, and we are working towards a contract award in August 2026.

The GMCA will be hosting a series of engagement sessions throughout November 2026.

These engagement opportunities are in place to support providers being able to effectively contribute to the development of the new regional contracts for the North West. NWADCS have welcomed the spirit in which providers have participated in the early market engagement and the progress this has brought in better understanding the challenges faced in the sector and how our contracting arrangements can support effective working relationships with authorities.

We are seeking input from a range of providers, with a range of opportunities to contribute, recognising that in particular smaller providers may find it challenging to take the time to participate.

Current Local Authorities Participating include -

Blackburn with Darwen Council

Blackpool Council

Bolton Council

### Bury Council

### Cheshire East Council

Cheshire West and Chester Council

### Cumberland Council

Halton Borough Council

### Knowsley Council

Lancashire County Council.

### Liverpool City Council

Manchester City Council

### Oldham Council

Rochdale Borough Council

Salford City Council

### Sefton Council

### St Helens Council

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

### Trafford Council

### Warrington Borough Council

Westmorland and Furness Council

Wigan Council.

### Wirral Council

Plus any company in which any of the above local authorities is a shareholder (as sole shareholder or as a co-shareholder with any of the above local authorities and/or any other contracting authority); and

Which at the time meets the requirements of regulation 12(1) of the Public Contracts Regulation 2015.

Further details and links on how to register are available on the chest procurement portal

Read full description

## CPV classification

Social work and related services

Source

Find a Tender (UK) · Notice 096132-2026

[View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096132-2026)

Never miss a tender like this again

Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start.

[Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register)

[Buyer profile Greater Manchester Combined Authority: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/greater-manchester-combined-authority) [Sector More Health and social work tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/health-social-work)

## More tenders like this

[COV - Coventry Advice Services Grant 2027 · Coventry City Council · 31 days left · 19 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a154e4-5d51-728e-9c2e-b0d3c880bc14/cov-coventry-advice-services-grant-2027) [Gastroenterologist services – Tähystystutkimukset (colonoskopia ja gastroskopia) SOITE · Sansia Oy · 28 days left · 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-0b15-7339-9939-1b14de6c3eb3/finland-gastroenterologist-services-tahystystutkimukset-colonoskopia-ja-gas) [Social services – Garantie d'activité départementale · Departement de L'aude - CD11 · 22 days left · 10 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-21a4-7316-9f81-3a2021a97638/france-social-services-garantie-dactivite-departementale) [Health and social work services – DOA.2610.3.2026. Świadczenie usług opiekuńczych na rzecz mieszkanców Legnicy · Gmina Legnica · 14 days left · 2 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-6631-72be-8950-1447bd5131bd/poland-health-and-social-work-services-doa261032026-swiadczenie-uslug-op) [Ambulance services – Contratación de servicios de transporte sanitario terrestre mediante ambulancias Clase A Tipo B y Tipo C para las zonas de La Gomera, El Hierro, La Palma, Fuerteventura y Lanzarote. · Gerencia de Gestión de Servicios para la Salud y Seguridad en Canarias, S.A. · 30 days left · 18 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-ced3-712b-ad8d-dc313d6b63e4/spain-ambulance-services-contratacion-de-servicios-de-transporte-sanitario-t) [Social work services with accommodation – servizio DI gestione DI DUE comunità alloggio DI BASE PER persone CON patologia psichiatrica seguite DAL DSM dell’azienda ULSS 8 berica · Azienda ULSS n. 8 Berica · 39 days left · 27 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-94d4-735d-bc39-2d8b65976651/italy-social-work-services-with-accommodation-servizio-di-gestione-di-due-co)
