Flexible Light Touch Framework Agreement for Support Worker / Navigator Services

Birmingham City Council (the "Council") wishes to establish a Light Touch Open Framework (LTOF) for the provision of Support Worker/Navigator Services. The framework will be available to the Birmingham Children’s Trust (BCT).

The scope of the procurement is to establish a framework agreement with a range of providers to deliver support worker/navigator services for Birmingham citizens with multiple disadvantages; for more information see the framework specification document reference 003 P3358 Service Specification. The services will provide a person-centred approach to support and advice in relation to self-management within the systems and services provided. This includes, but is not restricted to, housing, recovery from homelessness (or risk of) and any associated support needs, recovery from substance misuse, trauma-informed support and health care advice and interventions. Some citizens may be rough sleeping, are at risk of rough sleeping or being made homeless.

The framework will commence on 1st April 2026 and will be in place for a period of 6 years with the opportunity to extend for a further 2 years plus 2 years subject to funding and satisfactory performance. The scale and scope of this framework will be reviewed and potentially expanded at various stages during the term of the agreement. Contracts called-off from the framework may extend beyond the expiry date of the framework.

The Procurement Process to appoint organisations to the Light Touch Open Framework will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 as permitted by Section 9 and Schedule 1. This procedure allows for a more flexible approach to the procurement of certain social and health services to undertake a bespoke procurement process that considers elements of the Open Procedure, Framework and Open Framework procedures.

The framework may reopen at various intervals linked to commissioning requirements, funding cycles and extension periods. This will enable commissioners to update the framework as necessary to respond to funding and market developments for the duration of the framework.

The LTOF has been divided into the following Lots.

• Lot 1: Young People aged 16-24 years
• Lot 2: Adults Singles & Couples aged 25 years and over
• Lot 3: Female Only aged 18 years plus

Tenderers may bid for one or more or all Lots and all tenderers who meet the minimum quality criteria will be appointed to the framework.

Where new Lots are introduced onto the LTOF, provision will be made for those providers that have demonstrated appropriate capability to be awarded to the LTOF to transfer to other Lots as appropriate; subject to meeting any additional criteria. This will provide efficiencies in both reduced bidding and evaluation time. This principle will be applied to new and refreshed Lots where appropriate.

There are two procedures the Council can utilise to award Call-Off Contracts for the services required, Call Off With Competition or Call Off Without Competition.

Additional commissioning requirements may be added during the term of the LTOF. The following services and values been identified as potential additions:

• Support for people who have multiple disadvantages
• Support for people with disabilities
• Support for survivors of domestic abuse
• Support for people requiring recovery activities
• Support for families
• Market development for micro companies
• A specific lot for support for families

There may be additional requirements. Any increase in value will be subject to the Council’s governance arrangements, market engagement and, where appropriate the re-opening of the LTOF. This may result in additional Lots being added to the LTOF.