How to apply for a learning disability framework
Learning disability frameworks let councils and ICBs commission support for adults with learning disabilities and autism, including supported living and complex community packages. They are shaped by Transforming Care, so commissioners score your ability to support people out of hospital and avoid placement breakdown. Strong applications evidence positive behaviour support, person-centred planning and staff competence. You apply through the council or NHS portal, pass the selection questionnaire, then answer quality method statements.
Transforming Care and what commissioners score
Learning disability commissioning is driven by Transforming Care and the aim to support people in the community rather than in hospital. Commissioners score how you take referrals for people with complex needs and behaviour that challenges, and keep placements stable. Positive behaviour support is usually central. Show your PBS model, how plans are written and reviewed, how you reduce restrictive practice, and how staff are trained and supervised. Person-centred planning, choice and community inclusion run through every good answer. For people moving out of assessment and treatment units, evidence your transition planning, multidisciplinary working and contingency staffing so the ICB trusts you not to hand the placement back.
Positive behaviour support as the core evidence
PBS is the spine of most learning disability and autism bids, so treat it as more than a named approach. Show how functional assessments inform support plans, how plans are co-produced and reviewed, and how you embed proactive strategies that reduce the triggers for distress. Evidence how you reduce and report restrictive practice, your stance on restraint and seclusion, and how you learn from incidents. Describe PBS training for staff, who holds advanced competence, and how supervision keeps practice consistent. The strongest answers show outcomes: fewer incidents, reduced restrictive interventions, and a person doing more of what matters to them. Anonymised before and after examples carry weight with assessors.
Person-centred planning and community inclusion
Commissioners want support built around the person, not the rota. Set out how you find out what matters to each person, including those who communicate without words, and how their goals shape daily support and staff selection. Show choice and control in practice: how people are involved in recruiting their staff, planning their week, and taking positive risks safely. Evidence community inclusion through relationships, activities, education, volunteering and work. For autistic people, describe your communication, sensory and environmental approach. Person-centred answers that connect to real outcomes, rather than restating policy, score best on the quality questions.
The framework application process
These frameworks run through the council or NHS portal, such as ProContract or Atamis. You find the notice, register, express interest, then complete the selection questionnaire on finance, insurance and CQC status, followed by method statements on the support model, safeguarding, PBS and outcomes. Where supported living is involved, the regulated activity is personal care, so your CQC registration and rating matter. Read whether the lot is supported living, complex community support, or both, and answer to the right model. The table below shows the lot types you may meet. Under the Procurement Act 2023, awards go to the most advantageous tender, with quality typically weighted 60 to 90 percent. Diarise the clarification and submission deadlines.
Staffing, stability and avoiding placement breakdown
Placement breakdown is what commissioners most fear, especially for people recently out of hospital. Your staffing and stability evidence reassures them you will hold a difficult placement. Show how you recruit for values, train and retain staff, and build consistent teams around each person. Set out contingency staffing, how you cover sickness without disrupting the person, and how you respond when a placement is under strain rather than handing it back. We run a free eligibility check before you pay. If your CQC rating, PBS evidence or staffing model will not pass, we tell you, so you only bid where you can win.
Common learning disability framework lot types
Check which lot you are bidding for and answer to its model.
| Lot type | What it covers | Regulated activity |
|---|---|---|
| Supported living | Personal care in the person's own tenancy | Personal care, CQC registered |
| Complex community support | High-need packages, often post-hospital | Usually personal care, CQC registered |
| Outreach and enabling | Support without personal care | Often not regulated |
| Short breaks and respite | Planned and emergency breaks | Depends on care provided |
Not sure if you qualify for a tender? We check it for free, before you pay anything, and we only take bids we believe you can win. See our learning disability tender writing or text TENDER to get started.
Common questions
What is Transforming Care and why does it matter for bids?
It is the national programme to move people with learning disabilities and autism out of long-stay hospitals into community support. Commissioners score your ability to take complex referrals and keep placements stable, so your bid should speak directly to it.
Do I need positive behaviour support to win these frameworks?
Usually yes. Most learning disability and autism specifications expect a clear PBS model, staff trained in it, and evidence you reduce restrictive practice. Bids without credible PBS evidence tend to score poorly on the quality questions.
What CQC rating do I need for a learning disability framework?
Where personal care is provided, you must be CQC registered, and many specifications expect Good or better, or a clear improvement plan. Check the exact requirement in the specification, as some accept newly registered providers not yet rated.
How do I evidence reducing restrictive practice?
Show functional assessments and proactive PBS strategies, your stance on restraint and seclusion, incident analysis, and outcomes such as fewer restrictive interventions over time. Anonymised before and after examples make the reduction concrete for assessors.
Which portals carry learning disability frameworks?
Council-led frameworks usually run on ProContract or In-Tend, and ICB or joint health frameworks often use Atamis. All higher value notices are published on Find a Tender, so monitor that and follow the link to the host portal.
Keep reading
Service
Learning disability tender writing
Supported living framework application
CQC rating requirements
Method statements in care tenders
Browse all care tender guides, or see care tender writing by service.
Got a tender to check?
Text TENDER to +44 7822 030677and we'll tell you free whether you'd qualify, before you spend a penny.