Diversification of Children’s Social Care Market (Social Investment)

Description

A Preliminary Market Engagement event is being undertaken to refine DfE's requirements and better understand the capacity and capability of potential partners to deliver a Social Investment Vehicle (SIV) to facilitate the entry of new providers into the children's social care placements market. We refer to any future potential partner as a "Social Investment Facilitator" (SIF). The SIV would blend public and social finance to enable capital investment in new or re-entering regulated providers, with a focus on Ofsted-registered children's homes. During the event we will talk through the requirements in more detail and our journey thus far in developing our SIF option. This PME does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education (DfE). If DfE decides to commence any procurement process subject to the Procurement Act 2023 as contemplated by this notice, a separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time. This Notice has also been advertised on Find a Grant. Eligible organisations, which may include charities and local authorities, could then bid for funding from the CSC SIV. We intend for this model to operate on a regional basis, targeting areas where there are placement shortages. The SIF would be responsible for management of the CSC SIV and the disbursement of funding to eligible organisations. For full details in respect of the scope of engagement activity and how to engage, please review the Department's published PME Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054970-2025