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Soft Market Testing - Reg 44 Inspections

St Helens Council · Local authority

In brief

St Helens Council has announced plans to buy care and healthcare work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The estimated value is £17,700 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 3 years, starting 1 April 2026.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Typical: a median of 5 bids per contract for care contracts in this region (from 155 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

St Helens Council is undertaking soft market testing ahead of a forthcoming procurement for an Independent Regulation 44 Visitor Service. The Council currently commissions Regulation 44 inspections for two of its children's homes. However, due to recent service expansion, Regulation 44 inspections are now required for five children's homes, with a potential sixth home expected to open in the near future. Further expansion of provision is also possible during the lifetime of the contract.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 082131-2025

About the buyer

St Helens CouncilLast 12 months

Procurements

75

Awards

40

Suppliers it has used most for care

All tenders and awards from St Helens Council

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From notice 082131-2025 on Find a Tender, first published 11 December 2025. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.