Richmond & Wandsworth Homecare Tender: New Opportunity for Care Providers

Homecare providers looking to grow their local authority business should be aware of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Innovative Platform for Home Based Services, which can also be used by the London Borough of Wandsworth.

Unlike a traditional framework with a fixed number of successful providers, this is an open provider platform. Providers can apply to join during the lifetime of the arrangement, with applications currently expected to be evaluated up to twice each year. There is no limit on the number of providers that can be accepted, provided they meet the required criteria.

What services are covered?

The opportunity is divided into six Lots covering:

• Domiciliary Care in Richmond

• Homecare Reablement in Richmond

• Live-in Care in Richmond

• Domiciliary Care in Wandsworth

• Homecare Reablement in Wandsworth

• Live-in Care in Wandsworth

Providers can apply for one or more Lots depending on their service capabilities.

Based on 2025/26 activity, the combined indicative annual spend across the six Lots is approximately £15.8 million, although the Councils make clear that this does not represent a guarantee of future work or contract value.

Who can apply?

Providers will need to satisfy a number of eligibility requirements, including financial, regulatory and operational criteria.

Of particular importance:

• The proposed service must operate from an appropriate CQC-registered Branch

• Providers must meet the tender's CQC quality requirements

• Annual turnover must be at least £270,000 in each of the previous two years

• Providers must achieve an acceptable Dun & Bradstreet financial risk rating

• Staff delivering the service must be paid at least the London Living Wage

• Providers must demonstrate that they can safely and reliably deliver care within the relevant Richmond and/or Wandsworth areas

The tender is assessed through an initial pass/fail suitability stage followed by quality and price evaluation, with price carrying a particularly significant weighting.

An opportunity worth considering

For established homecare providers with a suitable CQC-rated service and the financial capacity to meet the entry requirements, the Richmond and Wandsworth Platform represents an opportunity to gain access to future council-funded care packages without waiting for another traditional framework procurement.

Being accepted onto the Platform does not guarantee work, but it provides eligible providers with the opportunity to compete for packages as they become available through the Council's brokerage arrangements.

Need support with your tender?

HCBB Tender Services supports homecare providers through the tender process, from an initial eligibility and bid assessment through to preparing, reviewing and submitting a high-quality tender response.

We can help you understand the requirements, identify potential compliance issues before you invest time in the bid, develop your response strategy and ensure your submission clearly demonstrates your organisation's experience, quality and ability to deliver.

If you are considering applying for the Richmond and Wandsworth Innovative Platform for Home Based Services, speak to HCBB before you start your submission.

Find out more about HCBB Tender Services:
www.hcbb.online/hcbbtenderservices