Multi-Provider Short Breaks and Support Framework for Children with Disabilities

Southampton City Council is establishing a framework to improve access to high-quality support services for children and young people with disabilities aged up to 18 years. The framework operates through two specialised lots: Lot 1 provides personalised care and community outreach including personal care, health support, communication programmes, behaviour support, and respite care delivered in home and community settings with flexible hours; Lot 2 offers specialist holiday playschemes and short breaks for children with complex or substantial needs, including high personal care requirements, complex health conditions, or autism. Eligible providers will have access to a pre-qualified supplier list, enabling the Council to quickly match children's assessed needs with appropriate services, reduce delays, and ensure consistent, high-quality, value-for-money support that strengthens family resilience and improves outcomes. Both lots require providers to deliver planned, responsive, and crisis support across multiple service models.