Social Care Tenders in Durham

Durham County Council has a duty to provide services for vulnerable residents who are eligible for care and support according to the national criteria introduced by the Care Act 2014. This opportunity is for the provision of Domiciliary Care. This is applicable to children, young people and adults. The Council is seeking CQC registered providers of Domiciliary Care for Adults, Children and Young People. The Council is committed to the delivery of high-quality Domiciliary Care and wishes to work in partnership with Independent Sector Providers, who can demonstrate and deliver quality services which achieve and maintain "value for money" and positive outcomes for service users enabling them to live independently and safely in their community. The opportunity has been divided into two Categories: Category 1 - Domiciliary Care commissioned by Durham County Council (DCC). Category 2 - Domiciliary Care commissioned on behalf of North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB). Services are to be delivered across 10 Demand Zones based on geographical areas. There are no restrictions on the number of Demands Zones applied for and awarded within either Category. It is to be noted that this contract will only be used when Domiciliary Care Packages are not capable of being fulfilled by providers who will be contracted under the Select List of Primary Providers for The Provision of Domiciliary Care Services and Reablement Contract which is due to commence 1st April 2026. The Council makes no guarantee to any successful provider of Category 1 & 2 that they will be awarded any work and no guarantee is made in respect of any volume of work under any such agreements, or in aggregate under the Agreement. The Select List for Category 1 & 2 is to be made of multiple providers (on a non-exclusive basis). There are no restrictions to the number of Providers who may be awarded to Category 1 & 2, only that they meet all the requirements of this Invitation to Bid and Service Specification. The Council reserves the right to allow any additional Bidder(s) to apply to join Category 1 & 2 at a future date at the Council's sole discretion provided that they fully meet the essential criteria contained in Category 1 & 2 bidding documents. The Council has the discretion to both open and close selected Categories and not all Categories should it choose to.

Homelessness can lead individuals and their families and friends into a cycle that can have a profound effect on all aspects of life. It is not just a lack of accommodation; homelessness can affect our physical and mental health and wellbeing, educational achievement, ability to gain and sustain employment and puts pressure on personal and family relationships. The impact of homelessness devastates lives, and it is often a long journey for an individual to build their life up again. Being at risk of, or losing a home, can be the result of many different structural or personal factors. Unless these factors are addressed, the ability of an individual to become resilient and improve their chance of a positive future is greatly reduced, placing them at risk of becoming trapped in a cycle of homelessness. The County Durham Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2024-2029) was adopted in July 2024. The strategy was written following a robust review of homelessness across the County. Due to the Council's statutory duties under homeless legislation, the number of households meeting the requirement for temporary accommodation has increased significantly over recent years. From approximately 48 households in 2018/19 to almost 140 households in early 2025. The number of verified rough sleepers within the county remains consistent at approximately 15 per single night. Total presentations from rough sleepers in the first three quarters of 2024/25 were 213 compared to 182 in the first three quarters of 2025/26. Durham County Council recognise the need for a holistic, trauma-informed accommodation support model that will help to create a pathway of provision for single people who are rough sleeping and present with multiple vulnerabilities or who are at high risk of sleeping rough. A tailored, person-centred, accessible package with a range of rapid interventions is required so that individuals can exit rough sleeping quickly and sustainably.