The London Borough of Hackney has published its Supported Living & Residential Framework, a high-value adult social care procurement with an estimated total value of £3.4 billion including VAT. The framework covers Supported Living, Residential Care for working age and 65+ adults, and Fixed Term Care Contracts.
This is an open framework, which means awarded suppliers are carried over and new suppliers can bid when the framework reopens. The notice also states that the framework will open annually, with a new procurement notice issued for each opening. If you are considering whether to bid, contact Thornton & Lowe. We can help you assess fit, review lot strategy and strengthen your submission.
Framework structure and how it works
Hackney’s framework is split into 3 lots:
- Lot 1: Supported Living
- Lot 2: Residential (Working age and 65+)
- Lot 3: Fixed Term Care Contracts
The lot structure matters because the call-off route is not the same across the framework. For Lots 1 and 2, call-off is via an eBrokerage / Marketplace system. For Lot 3, call-off is by further competition. Providers should take that into account when deciding where they are best placed to compete.
Why this framework matters
This is a substantial adult social care framework with a long operating window. For Lots 1 and 2, the estimated contract dates run from 1 July 2026 to 30 September 2030, with possible extension to 30 September 2033. For Lot 3, the estimated contract dates run from 5 June 2026 to 30 September 2030, again with possible extension to 30 September 2033.
The notice also confirms that the framework has an estimated open framework scheme end date of 30 September 2033, allows an unlimited number of suppliers, and applies a 0% supplier fee. Those points make it commercially relevant for both established providers and organisations looking to access future openings.
Access beyond Hackney
While this is a Hackney framework, the notice says that for Lots 1 and 2, a number of North East London local authorities may access the framework from Year 2 onwards. These are:
- London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
- City of London Corporation
- London Borough of Newham
- London Borough of Redbridge
- London Borough of Tower Hamlets
- London Borough of Waltham Forest
- London Borough of Havering
That could make Lots 1 and 2 especially relevant for providers with service coverage and operational capability across North East London.
What suppliers should focus on before bidding
Before committing bid resource, providers should check not only whether their services fit the lot, but whether their operating model fits the way the framework will be used.
- Lot selection - be clear whether your strongest offer is in supported living, residential care or fixed term care.
- Call-off route - understand the difference between the eBrokerage / Marketplace system for Lots 1 and 2, and further competition for Lot 3.
- Geographic delivery - for Lots 1 and 2 in particular, location and wider North East London coverage may matter.
- Vacancy response and mobilisation - the scoring model suggests providers will need to show how quickly they can offer placements and start delivery.
- PSQ readiness - the notice is clear that bidders need to complete the Procurement Selection Questionnaire and associated questions in full.
Scoring and bid strategy
The award criteria vary by lot, so suppliers should not approach this as a one-size-fits-all framework.
For Lots 1 and 2, the weighting is 70% quality and 30% price. The quality element is broken down into Quality 30%, Vacancies / Start Date 20%, and Geographical Location 20%. That means providers should pay close attention to service quality, operational responsiveness and location coverage in their responses.
For Lot 3, the notice says that quality and price are to be confirmed at further competition stage. Providers interested in Lot 3 should therefore focus on getting onto the framework first, while recognising that specific call-off competitions will define the detailed weighting later.
Quick facts
- Framework: Supported Living & Residential Framework
- Reference: DN768761
- Authority: London Borough of Hackney
- Total value: £3,400,000,000 including VAT
- Lots: 3
- Commercial tool: Open framework
- Open framework scheme end date: 30 September 2033
- Maximum number of suppliers: Unlimited
- Maximum supplier fee: 0%
- Full details: Official notice
Key dates
- Notice published: 1 April 2026
- Enquiry deadline: 8 May 2026 at 9:00am
- Deadline for requests to participate: 8 May 2026 at 12:00pm
- Estimated award decision date: 5 June 2026
Need support with your Hackney framework bid?
If you are weighing up whether to bid, which lots to target or how to strengthen your response, Thornton & Lowe can help. Get in touch for practical support on framework fit, bid strategy and submission quality.
