(UK2) Preliminary Market Engagement: Enablement, Day Opportunities, Volunteering and Employment Services for Adults with a Learning Disability

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) and Westminster City Council (WCC) are undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to the future procurement of Learning Disability Community Support Services. The Councils are seeking feedback from providers and other interested organisations to inform the development of service specifications, contract structure, procurement approach, outcomes framework and key performance indicators.

The proposed services are intended to support adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to maximise independence, wellbeing, community participation, employment and volunteering opportunities, and social inclusion.

The Councils are currently considering procuring:

1. An Enablement Hub Service for WCC.
2. A Moderate-to-Complex Community Support Service for RBKC.

The wider programme may comprise up to three service elements. Market engagement for the volunteering-focused element has already been completed and is therefore excluded from the scope of this engagement. Feedback is currently being sought only in relation to the services described in this notice.

The procurement is anticipated to be undertaken under the Procurement Act 2023 Light Touch Regime, with contract commencement anticipated from April 2027.

The Councils are currently considering the procurement of multiple service lots/contracts. Contract durations may differ between lots to align with service requirements, funding arrangements and commissioning objectives. Current assumptions are:

• Lot 1 (WCC Enablement Hub): 2 years plus seven optionals extension of 1 year (maximum 9 years).
• Lot 2 (RBKC Moderate-to-Complex Community Support): 5 years plus two optional extensions of 2 years (maximum 9 years).
• Lot 3 (Volunteering Service): 2 years plus one optional extension of 1 year (maximum 3 years).

This engagement exercise does not constitute a call for competition, commitment to procure, or pre-qualification process. Participation is entirely voluntary and will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement.