The London Borough of Barnet has published its Home and Community Support Services framework, a multi-supplier agreement with an estimated value of £36,000,000 including VAT over 6 years. The framework is divided into three lots covering adult home and community support, live-in care, and support for children.
The notice says Barnet is seeking providers that can deliver high-quality, outcomes-focused, strength-based, person-centred support to help people achieve maximum independence and wellbeing at home and in their communities. If you are considering whether this is the right fit for your organisation, Thornton & Lowe can help you review the opportunity and shape your bid approach.
Inside the Barnet Home and Community Support Services Framework
This framework is split into 3 lots:
- Lot 1: Home and Community Support for Adults (Standard) - estimated value £25,000,000
- Lot 2: Live-In Care and Support - estimated value £5,000,000
- Lot 3: Support for Children - estimated value £6,000,000
That structure gives providers a clear way to assess fit. Some may be strongest in adult community support, while others may be better positioned for live-in care or children’s services. The framework is designed so suppliers can target the lots that best match their experience and operational model.
What makes this framework commercially important
There are several details in the notice that make this framework especially relevant for bidders. First, it is a multi-supplier framework with an unlimited number of suppliers. Second, the framework applies a 0% supplier fee. Third, the framework operation is based on direct award, with contracts awarded in accordance with the framework terms without re-opening competition.
For suppliers, that means the bid decision is not only about winning a place on the framework. It is also about whether your service model, pricing and quality offer are strong enough to justify being part of a direct-award route used by Barnet.
What providers should focus on before bidding
Before investing time in a submission, providers should look closely at both the lot fit and the commercial model.
- Service fit - target the lot or lots that best match your actual track record and capacity.
- Outcomes model - align your response with the buyer’s focus on strength-based, person-centred support and independence.
- Operational readiness - show how you will deliver consistently over the full 6-year term.
- Pricing discipline - because price carries a heavy weighting, commercial positioning matters.
- Local delivery - this framework is for Barnet, so evidence of local authority delivery and community-based support will help.
Bid strategy: why price matters here
The award criteria for all three lots are weighted 70% price and 30% technical quality and social value. That makes this a more commercially weighted opportunity than many social care framework procurements.
Suppliers should still take quality responses seriously, especially where they relate to service delivery, person-centred support and social value. But this is also a framework where pricing strategy is likely to have a major impact on competitiveness. Providers should think carefully about whether they can offer a sustainable model that remains commercially attractive under this weighting.
Quick facts
- Authority: London Borough of Barnet
- Framework: Home and Community Support Services
- Reference: 946173460
- Value: £36,000,000 including VAT
- Contract dates: 30 November 2026 to 29 November 2032
- Framework type: Multi-supplier framework
- Call-off approach: Direct award
- Supplier fee: 0%
- Framework access: Establishing party only
- Notice link: Find a Tender notice
Key dates
- Notice published: 1 April 2026
- Enquiry deadline: 22 April 2026 at 12:00pm
- Tender submission deadline: 12 May 2026 at 12:00pm
- Estimated award decision date: 5 October 2026
Is this the right framework for your organisation?
This opportunity is likely to be most relevant for providers that can combine strong local-authority delivery experience with a competitive commercial offer in adult support, live-in care or children’s community-based services. If your organisation is weighing up whether to bid, it is worth reviewing both the lot structure and the 70/30 price-quality weighting before committing resource.
For a quick view on your likely fit, pricing position and bid approach, speak to Thornton & Lowe.
