Introduction to Care Frameworks
When talking about ‘care frameworks’, there is the broader framework providers operate within, but for the purposes of bid writing and business growth, we are referring to framework agreements, which are ‘approved care suppliers’. These frameworks, or opportunities require a formal bid, via an invitation to tender (ITT) process and there are national opportunities (often with lot specific areas) such as with the NHS, as well as specific home care frameworks, for example, developed and managed by individual or groups of Councils or Local Authorities
They involve public sector procurement, to procure services from external providers. The main focus of this article will be on the intricacies of care frameworks and their significance in public sector procurement. Domiciliary care frameworks are used to procure in-home care services for individuals who require assistance with their daily activities.
Understanding Domiciliary Care
Domiciliary care, also known as home care, involves the provision of a range of care services to individuals within their own homes. These services can include personal care (such as assisting with bathing and dressing), medication management, meal preparation, and companionship. With our population ageing, the demand for these services is growing, leading to an increase in the issuance of domicile care tenders and the need for comprehensive home care agreements.
The Importance of Bidding for Care Frameworks
With the escalating demand for domiciliary care services, bidding for care frameworks can provide a valuable opportunity for care providers to secure long-term contracts and expand their business operations. Successfully securing a place on a care framework can not only provide a steady stream of income but also enhance your business's reputation within the industry.
These framework opportunities are also not always off limits to new providers, as there is such a shortage of supply.
Care Framework Compliance
Before bidding for care frameworks, it's crucial to ensure that your business has the necessary compliance in place. This includes accreditations such as CQC registration, evidence of quality care delivery, and adherence to health and safety regulations. A strong Care Quality Commission rating can greatly enhance your chances of securing a place on a care framework, demonstrating your commitment to compliance and quality.
The Role of a Bid Writing Consultancy
Bidding for care frameworks can be a complex process, requiring in-depth knowledge of the health and social care sector, strong writing skills, and a strategic approach. This is where a bid management strategy becomes essential, guiding you through the intricacies of the sector and helping you to adopt a strategic approach to your bids. Bid writing consultancy can provide invaluable assistance. With their expertise in tender writing and knowledge of the care sector, they can guide you through the bidding process, helping to maximise your chances of success.
For further information, tips and guidance, click here to view our Ultimate Guide to Winning Health & Social Care Tenders.
2023 Care Framework Wins
To demonstrate to breadth of our experience when it comes to bidding for care, please see several examples of our tender wins below:
NHS Scotland | Temporary Allied Health Professionals & Other Clinical Professions NP50522 |
Sutton Council | Provision of Homecare Services |
Kirklees and Calderdale | Domiciliary Care Services |
Norfolk County Council | Adults with Learning Disabilities and/or Autism |
London Borough of Redbridge | Provision of Homecare for Adult and Children Services in the London Borough of Redbridge |
Lancashire County Council | Living well and Supply of care |
Islington | Home Care Flexible Framework |
Brighton and Hove City Council | Adults Community Support and Supported Living |
South Gloucester | Specialist Provider DPS |
Powys County Council | Framework for Support Services for Children, Young People and Families |
Aberdeenshire County Council | Care at Home Services for Children and Young People |
Understanding Home Care Frameworks
As with domiciliary care frameworks, home care frameworks involve the provision of care services within an individual's home. These frameworks focus on the provision of medical care, such as nursing services and therapy sessions. Bidding for these frameworks requires the same approach to domiciliary care frameworks, with an emphasis on demonstrating your business's ability to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.
Key Focus Areas for Bidding for Care Frameworks
When bidding for care frameworks, there are several key areas you should focus on. These include:
- Quality of Care: This should be the cornerstone of your bid, demonstrating your commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.
- Experience: Your bid should showcase your business's experience in delivering the specific care services outlined in the framework.
- Compliance: You will need to demonstrate your business's compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
- Social Value: Many care frameworks place a strong emphasis on social value, so it's important to show how your business contributes to the wider community. We have a guide to maximising social impact and the National TOMS.
- Innovation: Show how your business is using innovative approaches to improve care delivery and outcomes.
When responding to a tender it is essential you fully understand the requirement or framework specification. The specification, combined with the instructions, questions and evaluation criteria provide organisations with the tools to respond. Combined with additional research, an understanding of market expectations and your local competition, you can develop both a compliance and responsive tender response to the domiciliary care framework requirements.
When it comes to responding to tender questions using a structured approach will allow you to ensure the bid is compliance and fully answers the question, while also giving you the ability to then focus on refining it, highlighting why you are the most suitable for agency or provider for the framework.
As a general rule when bid writing for care tenders or frameworks, we work to BENEFIT, FEATURE, EVIDENCE. This is how sentences, paragraphs and whole tender responses should be structured to allow you to maximise the scores available.
The Bid Writing Process
The process of bid writing for a care framework involves several key steps. Initially, you will need to thoroughly review the tender documents to understand the framework's requirements and assess your business's suitability. Once you've decided to proceed, you'll need to gather all the necessary information and evidence to support your bid. At this juncture, a bid writing consultancy can provide invaluable support, helping you craft a persuasive bid that resonates with the tender's evaluators.
At Thornton & Lowe, we support our clients through each step of this process, providing guidance, mentoring or a fully outsourced bid writing solution for your domiciliary care frameworks.
Proven Bid Writing Consultants for Home Care Frameworks and Tenders
Bidding for care frameworks can be a complex and time-consuming process. However, with the right approach and the support of a professional bid writing consultancy, it's possible to successfully secure a place on these frameworks. By focusing on the quality of care, showcasing your experience, demonstrating compliance, and highlighting your social value, you can create a compelling bid that stands out from the competition.
Thornton & Lowe has been providing an outsourced bid writing solution to domiciliary care providers since 2009. We have seen the changes in the sector, differing regional requirements and bidding and procurement trends when tendering for care. But what hasn’t changed is our commitment to supporting providers from across the UK, large and small, to compete and win places on care frameworks.
See our reviews and testimonials. As procurement and supply chain experts, we work across multiple sectors which allows us to drive innovation and create compelling differentiators for our clients.
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