URL: https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=11230

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content:   Report CEF26030   The report sought Executive authorisation to undertake a procurement exercise to commission Independent Fostering Agencies (IFAs) for children looked after via a closed framework, ensuring compliance with the UK Procurement Act 2023.   The proposed framework would be commissioned for a duration of four years with no option to extend under the Procurement Regulations.   Bromley continued to experience high demand for fostering, including specialist cohorts (sibling groups, therapeutic, parent & child), with market constraints and price volatility.   The framework would provide a structured mechanism to standardise the commissioning, onboarding and quality assurance of all approved providers.  It would support a robust audit trail of expenditure and offer an efficient route to market for commissioning activity, thereby reducing timescales and administrative burden.  Providers appointed to the framework would be required to meet defined minimum quality standards, supporting the delivery of value for money through competitive pricing.  While the framework established an approved list of providers, there was no obligation to commission services through it where this would not deliver best value or meet service requirements.   Expenditure on IFA services in 2024/25 was £6.79 million.  The total spend on the new framework was projected to be £7.16 million per annum over the four-year term.   The report had been scrutinised by the Children, Education and Families PDS Committee at its meeting on 10 June 2026 and the Committee supported the proposals.   RESOLVED: That proceeding to procurement for a new Independent Fostering Agency Framework for Children Looked After, for a four-year period commencing on 1st December 2026 and ending on 30th November 2030 be approved, at an estimated value of £7.16m per annum (total estimated value of £29m over four years), subject to CPI uplifts.

Date of Decision: June 24, 2026