UK care tender guides
Plain, practical guides to finding, writing and winning UK care tenders and framework places, from the people who write the bids. Start anywhere, then send us a tender for a free eligibility check.
How care tenders work, and how to win them
The process, the portals, and what commissioners actually score.
How to find care tenders
Where to find UK care tenders: Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, council portals and framework alerts. Free eligibility check on any care tender.
How to win a care tender
Win care tenders by checking eligibility first, answering the scoring grid and evidencing every claim. Free eligibility check before you commit.
Care frameworks explained
What a care framework is, how approved provider lists work and how referrals flow. Free eligibility check before you apply to any framework.
What is a DPS in care
A dynamic purchasing system stays open for new care providers throughout its life. How a DPS differs from a framework. Free eligibility check.
SQ and PQQ in care tenders
The SQ/PQQ is the pass-fail stage of a care tender: turnover, insurance, exclusions. Get it right to reach the scored quality stage. Free eligibility check.
Invitation to tender (ITT)
The ITT is the scored quality stage of a care tender, built on method statements and evidence. How to score well. Free eligibility check on any tender.
Minimum turnover requirements
Care tenders often set minimum turnover at around twice the contract value. What it means and what to do if you fall short. Free eligibility check.
CQC rating requirements
Many care tenders require a CQC rating of Good or above as a pass-fail gate. What it means for newly registered providers. Free eligibility check.
Insurance requirements
Care tenders set required levels of public liability, employer's liability and professional indemnity cover. Typical levels explained. Free eligibility check.
TUPE in care contracts
When you take over an existing care contract, TUPE may transfer the current staff to you on their existing terms. What it means for your bid. Free eligibility check.
Mobilisation plans
A mobilisation plan shows how you will stand up a new care contract safely and on time. What commissioners want to see. Free eligibility check on any tender.
KPIs in care contracts
Key performance indicators in care contracts: call monitoring, missed and late calls, continuity and complaints. What you commit to. Free eligibility check.
Find a Tender Service (FTS)
Find a Tender Service is the UK portal for higher-value public contracts that replaced OJEU after Brexit. How it works and thresholds. Free eligibility check.
Social value in care tenders
What social value means in a care tender, how it is scored, and how to win the marks with local jobs, training and community benefit.
Procurement Act 2023 for care providers
The Procurement Act 2023 went live on 24 February 2025. What changed for UK care providers bidding for council and NHS contracts.
Contracts Finder for care
How to use Contracts Finder to find lower-value care contracts and opportunities from councils and the wider public sector.
ProContract and Due North
What ProContract by Proactis (Due North) is, how many councils use it, and how to register and find care tenders on it.
Atamis NHS portal
What Atamis is, why NHS England uses it, and where to find NHS and continuing healthcare opportunities on the Health Family system.
In-Tend portal
What the In-Tend e-tendering portal is, which buyers use it, and how to register and express interest in care tenders.
Care tender timescales
How long a care tender takes from publication to deadline, and from award to contract start, with a clear timeline to plan around.
Contract examples in care bids
Why buyers ask for past contract examples in care tenders, what makes a strong example, and what to do if you are new.
Bid library for care providers
How a reusable bid library of answers, policies and evidence speeds up future care tenders and keeps quality consistent.
Why care bids lose
The real reasons care bids lose: weak references, failed accounts checks, missed clarifications, vague answers and price.
Framework vs DPS vs contract
The difference between a framework, a dynamic purchasing system and a single contract in care, and when each is used.
Care tender checklist
A practical pre-bid checklist for care tenders: eligibility, CQC rating, turnover, insurance, policies, examples and deadlines.
How to respond to a care tender
The practical steps to respond to a care tender: express interest, read the scoring grid, plan answers, write, sign off and submit.
NEPO and the OPEN portal
What NEPO is, the twelve North East councils it covers, the care frameworks it runs, and how to register free on the OPEN portal at open-uk.org to bid.
ESPO frameworks for care providers explained
What ESPO is, which health and social care frameworks it runs, and the East Mids Tenders process to become an awarded ESPO supplier. Free eligibility check first.
YPO frameworks for health and social care
What YPO is, its health and social care frameworks and the Care Technology DPS, and how to get evaluated and awarded a place. Free eligibility check first.
CCS (now GCA) healthcare staffing frameworks for care providers
What the CCS (now GCA) healthcare staffing frameworks RM6281 and RM6397 cover, who they suit, and how to win a place. Free eligibility check first.
Bloom & NEPRO³: managed procurement for care services
What Bloom's NEPRO³ neutral-vendor managed service is, whether social care runs through it, the 5 percent fee, the 14 percent buyer saving, and how to get accredited. Free eligibility check.
Delta eSourcing for care providers
How care providers register on Delta eSourcing, get found on the SID, and find council care tenders. Which buyers use it and how to set alerts. Free eligibility check first.
Proactis Supplier Network for care providers
How care providers register on the Proactis Supplier Network, which councils and NHS bodies use Proactis-hosted portals, and how to find care tenders. Free eligibility check first.
Jaggaer / Bravo eSourcing for care tenders
What Jaggaer (formerly Bravo) eSourcing is, which NHS and government buyers use it, and how care providers register and respond to a tender on it. Free eligibility check first.
NHS SBS frameworks for care providers
What NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) is, which frameworks suit care and staffing providers, who can buy off them, and how to apply via SAP Ariba and Find a Tender.
NHS procurement hubs explained
What NHS procurement hubs are, which hub covers your region, and how to register and bid for their frameworks as a care provider. Free eligibility check first.
Provider Selection Regime (PSR) for care providers
How the Provider Selection Regime changed NHS healthcare contract awards since January 2024: the three award routes, the five Regulation 5 criteria, the 8 working-day standstill, and how to be named most suitable provider.
Carbon Reduction Plan (PPN 06/21) for care tenders
Does your care tender need a Carbon Reduction Plan? The PPN 06/21 £5m threshold, what the plan must contain, and when a missing CRP is a pass or fail disqualifier.
Cyber Essentials for care contracts
Is Cyber Essentials mandatory for NHS and council care tenders? The difference from Cyber Essentials Plus, the cost, and how it sits alongside the DSP Toolkit. Free eligibility check first.
Modern slavery statements in care bids
Do you need a modern slavery statement for a care tender? The £36m threshold, what to submit below it, and how to win the SQ mark. Free eligibility check first.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in care tenders
What an equality, diversity and inclusion question in a care tender actually tests: the Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Equality Duty, the policies and evidence buyers expect, and how it scores. Free eligibility check first.
DSP Toolkit for care bids
What the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) means for care tenders: is it mandatory, the 30 June deadline, and what 'Standards Met' requires. Free eligibility check first.
Safeguarding policy evidence in care tenders
What safeguarding evidence care tenders ask for: the right policies, a named Designated Safeguarding Lead, enhanced DBS checks and the escalation pathway buyers score. Free eligibility check first.
Business continuity plans for care contracts
What a business continuity plan needs for a care tender: the CQC Regulation 17 link, contingency staffing, review evidence, and the upload that quietly sinks bids. Free eligibility check first.
Scenario and competency questions in care bids
How to answer scenario and competency questions in a care tender: STAR structure, a worked safeguarding example, and how evaluators score against the rubric. Free eligibility check first.
The presentation stage of a care tender
How the presentation or interview stage of a care tender is scored under the Procurement Act 2023, what to prepare, who to bring, and whether it can change the result.
Consortium and subcontracting in care bids
How small care providers use a consortium or subcontractor to meet turnover and experience requirements, and how the Procurement Act 2023 treats associated suppliers. Free eligibility check first.
Framework Further Competition and Mini-Competitions in Care
On a care framework but seeing no work? Learn how call-offs run: direct award versus further competition (mini-competition), and how to win the actual packages. Free eligibility check.
Rate Cards and Fee Uplifts in Care Contracts
How rate cards and fee uplift clauses work in UK care contracts, with real 2025-26 benchmark rates and how to evidence a higher price without losing on cost.
How to Handle Tender Clarification Questions
How to handle tender clarification questions in a care bid: the deadline, why answers go to every bidder, and how to phrase questions so you do not tip off rivals. Free eligibility check first.
Voids and occupancy evidence in supported living bids
What commissioners want on voids, referrals and occupancy in a supported living tender: void turnaround, referral SLAs, re-let process and the figures to evidence. Free eligibility check first.
Method statements in care tenders
How method statements are scored in care tenders, the structure that wins marks, the evidence commissioners want, and the mistakes that lose places. Free check first.
Applying by service
How to get on a framework or DPS for your specific kind of care.
Domiciliary care framework application
How to apply to a council domiciliary care framework: the selection stage, the quality questions, and the pitfalls that cost places. Free eligibility check first.
Home care contract bidding
How to bid for council home care contracts: finding them, passing the selection stage, and scoring on quality. Free eligibility check before you pay anything.
Supported living framework application
How to apply to a supported living framework or DPS: eligibility, the quality questions on outcomes and tenancies, and common pitfalls. Free eligibility check first.
Residential care framework application
How to apply to a residential care home framework: eligibility, quality questions on safeguarding and quality of life, and what trips providers up. Free check first.
Nursing home framework application
How to apply to a nursing home framework: eligibility, clinical quality questions, registered nurse cover and CHC funding. Free eligibility check before you pay.
CHC homecare framework application
How to apply to an NHS continuing healthcare homecare framework: ICB procurement, clinical quality questions and complex care evidence. Free eligibility check first.
Live-in care tender
How to apply for live-in care tenders: where councils and the NHS buy live-in care, the quality questions, and continuity evidence. Free eligibility check first.
Extra care housing tender
How to apply for extra care housing tenders: the on-site care contract, the quality questions, and how care and housing fit together. Free eligibility check first.
Reablement tenders
How to apply for short-term reablement and enablement contracts. What commissioners score, outcome measures, the process, and the pitfalls that lose bids.
Complex care tenders
How to bid for complex clinical care packages, often CHC funded. Clinical competence, nursing oversight, and the evidence commissioners score. Free eligibility check.
Children's home tenders
How to bid for children's home placements. Ofsted registration, Reg 44 and 45, the placement framework process, and what local authorities score. Free check.
16+ supported accommodation tenders
How to bid for 16+ supported accommodation. Ofsted registration under the 2023 Regulations, the framework process, and what councils score. Free eligibility check.
Day services tenders
How to bid for day services and day opportunities, often for adults with learning disabilities. The process, what councils score, and common pitfalls.
Respite and short breaks tenders
How to bid for respite and short breaks contracts. The process, what councils score, CQC requirements, and the pitfalls that lose bids. Free eligibility check.
Learning disability framework application
How to get on a learning disability and autism support framework. Transforming Care, PBS evidence, the application process, and what commissioners score.
Shared Lives scheme tenders
How to bid for a council Shared Lives scheme contract: the CQC and Shared Lives Plus gates, single-supplier commissioning, and what councils score. Free eligibility check first.
Care leavers support tenders (16-25)
How to bid for council care leavers support tenders for 16 to 25 year olds: the right regulator, the legislation, who commissions, and the scored quality questions. Free eligibility check first.
Dementia specialist care tenders
How to win dementia care contracts: where they hide in residential and nursing frameworks, the CQC and training bar bids are scored against, and the EHCH model. Free eligibility check.
End-of-life homecare tenders
How to win end-of-life and palliative homecare tenders: the real buyer is the ICB via CHC Fast Track, not the council. Scoring, mobilisation, and a free eligibility check first.
Sensory & physical disability support tenders
How to bid for council sensory support and physical disability tenders under the Care Act 2014. Why CQC is usually not the gate, and the specialist-assessor test that is. Free eligibility check first.
Autism support framework application
How to apply to a council or NHS autism support framework: choosing the right lot, the CQC versus ICB split, Oliver McGowan training, and the scored autism-competence questions. Free eligibility check first.
Direct Payments & PA Support Framework Tenders
How to win council Direct Payment Support Service and PA register tenders: the lots, who can bid, and why CQC registration is usually not the gate. Free eligibility check first.
Prison and secure healthcare tenders
How to bid for NHS England Health and Justice prison, secure and custody healthcare contracts: the commissioner, the CQC gate, the lots and the scored questions. Free eligibility check first.
Acquired brain injury and neuro-rehab support tenders
How to win acquired brain injury and neuro-rehab support tenders from councils and NHS ICBs: the frameworks, CQC rules, neuro specialisms and scoring. Free eligibility check first.
Supported employment and Connect to Work tenders
How to bid for Connect to Work and supported employment contracts for disabled people: IPS and SEQF fidelity, open frameworks, job-outcome evidence. Free eligibility check first.
Befriending and community wellbeing service tenders
How to win befriending and community wellbeing funding: which money comes by tender and which by grant, where to find each, and how social value scores. Free eligibility check first.
Carers support services tenders (unpaid carers)
How to win a council carers support service tender: the Care Act drivers, why it is not CQC-regulated, and what scores on carer reach and young carers. Free check first.
Care tender writing by region
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