Supported Accommodation 16-25 year olds

Cheshire East Council has awarded contracts for a new supported accommodation initiative designed to provide high-quality, accommodation-based support for children in care and care leavers aged 16 to 25. The primary contract term runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031, with optional extension periods available through June 30, 2033. The initiative is divided into four distinct lots based on age group and geographic location. Lot 1, focusing on 16 to 17-year-olds in North Cheshire East, was awarded to People Potential Possibilities for 5,034,137 pounds excluding VAT. Lots 2, 4, and 5 were awarded to YMCA Cheshire Limited, covering 16 to 17-year-olds in South Cheshire East, 18 to 25-year-olds in South Cheshire East, and unaccompanied asylum seeking children aged 16 to 17 across all of Cheshire East. The program features a phased increase in bed capacity over the first few years of operation. For 16 to 17-year-olds in the North, capacity grows from 10 beds in 2026 to 15 by 2028. In the South, capacity for 16 to 17-year-olds increases from 19 to 25 beds, while the 18 to 25-year-old provision expands significantly from 15 beds in 2026 to 40 beds by 2028. Additionally, the specialized provision for unaccompanied asylum seeking children will scale from 6 beds to 20 beds over the same period. These agreements were established through a competitive procurement process under the Procurement Act 2023 and include comprehensive specifications regarding performance, liability, and pricing.