Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13ccd-78fa-70d7-89f6-ffbbce48657e/regional-care-co-operatives-pathfinder-delivery-partner pending GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Regional Care Co-operatives Pathfinder Delivery Partner [Department for Education](https://tendernation.io/buyers/department-for-education) Estimated value Not stated Published 31 Mar 2023 Deadline Rolling deadline ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender This PIN is for market engagement only. It does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education. If the Department for Education decides to commence any procurement process as contemplated by this notice, a separate notice will be published at the relevant time. The requirements and values set out below may be subject to change. Regional Care Co-operative (RCC) pathfinders will be delivered in partnership with Local Authorities in two regions to test a new approach to planning, delivering and commissioning placements for looked after children. A co-design process with Local Authorities will shape the exact model and approach taken in each region; on a national level we will convene an expert advisory group to provide specialist insight and expertise on areas including governance, funding flows and data/forecasting. We will be holding an initial early market engagement session to talk about the service requirements and seek feedback via 45-minute 1-2-1 meetings on 17th and 20th April. A question and answer log will be circulated after all sessions have taken place via the DFE's commercial Jaggaer system. To confirm your attendance please email . In response to local authorities experiencing significant and widespread problems with finding homes for the children in their care (in children's homes and foster care), the Department for Education has announced its intention to introduce Regional Care Co-operatives (RCCs) through which local authorities will plan, deliver and commission placements on a regional, collective basis. We will test this approach with groups of local authorities in two regions and are looking for a delivery partner to support the delivery of the pathfinders. This will include supporting and advising on effective working relationships between local authorities, support with facilitating the co-design of the pathfinders in partnership with local authorities, commercial and legal establishment of the pathfinders, project management, governance and oversight, HR and recruitment, finances and allocation of funding, IT and data systems. Further information about Regional Care Co-operatives can be found here: Children's social care: stable homes, built on love - GOV.UK ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk)) We plan to commence procurement in late April, with a view to the contract beginning in June. The pathfinders are due to launch in Spring 2024; the contract will continue until this date with potential for extension. If more than two areas express a serious interest in being a pathfinder, we will select the successful regions based on criteria including: closest fit to the intended model, size of region/number of LAC, likelihood of being able to set this up within 12-15 months (based on strength of existing partnerships, LA capacity, links to health / youth justice etc) and innovation. Read full description ## CPV classification Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security Source Contracts Finder (UK) [View official notice](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/dc2bcb91-19a3-4e6b-9379-da2d585c4960) 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 Department for Education: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/department-for-education) [Sector More Business services tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/business-services) ## More tenders like this [Printing and distribution services – SGCD53\_MARCHE\_ELECTIONS\_BRGE · Préfecture de la Mayenne · 28 days left · 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-7726-73f4-bb67-b3121363d6bf/france-printing-and-distribution-services-sgcd53-marche-elections-brge) [Business travel services – Rahmenvertrag Bearbeitung von Reisekostenabrechnungen nach BRKG · GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH · 29 days left · 17 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-cd6e-73e4-b6e8-3954e5689021/germany-business-travel-services-rahmenvertrag-bearbeitung-von-reisekostenab) [Photocopying services – Externe printdiensten · VZW Sint-Paulusschool · 36 days left · 24 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-34d8-71be-840d-38bf2a8bcc92/belgium-photocopying-services-externe-printdiensten) [Supply services of personnel including temporary staff – Diák- és nyugdíjas munkaerő biztosítása NTH (376) · NTH Nemzeti Tőkeholding Zrt. · 11 days left · 30 Oct 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-76f6-70c4-823e-7b614dada7b3/hungary-supply-services-of-personnel-including-temporary-staff-diak-es-nyug) [Interpretation services – Tolktjänster · Stockholms läns sjukvårdsområde · 31 days left · 18 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-4e9a-70dc-8b27-e3d274e53dc5/sweden-interpretation-services-tolktjanster) [Graphic design services – MAGAZINE DES PAYS DE LA LOIRE - LOT1 MISE EN PAGE · Région des Pays de la Loire · 32 days left · 20 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15183-cd94-7139-b774-287bdb24987c/france-graphic-design-services-magazine-des-pays-de-la-loire-lot1-mise-en)