Closed tender

Soft Market Testing - Reg 44 Inspections

Details

Published
11 December 2025
Submission
23 December 2025

Tender description

St Helens Council is undertaking soft market testing ahead of a forthcoming procurement for an Independent Regulation 44 Visitor Service. The Council currently commissions Regulation 44 inspections for two of its children’s homes. However, due to recent service expansion, Regulation 44 inspections are now required for five children’s homes, with a potential sixth home expected to open in the near future. Further expansion of provision is also possible during the lifetime of the contract. In line with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, each home requires one Regulation 44 visit per month, undertaken by an independent and suitably experienced visitor. This soft market testing aims to gather insight into market capacity, capability, interest, and indicative costings to inform the Council’s procurement strategy for a future contract that can meet both current and anticipated demand. Keywords: Residential Placement , Children , Childrens Homes, Young People, Regulation 44

Timeline

  1. Completed: Tender published11 December 2025
    Current notice
  2. Completed: Submission date23 December 2025

About the buyer

St Helens Council buys as a local authority, with procurement through STAR Procurement, a shared service spanning six Greater Manchester and Merseyside councils. St Helens is also a member of the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation, based in Wakefield. Standard terms and conditions apply to suppliers wherever possible.

Over the past 5 years, most of St Helens Council's contract awards have been in construction work, transport equipment and IT services.

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