DfE seeks partner for RCCs and Fostering Hubs programme.
The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking a Delivery Partner to support the establishment and early operation of five new Regional Care Cooperatives (RCCs) and to deliver the expanded Fostering Recruitment and Retention Programme. The RCC component involves providing structured coaching, facilitation, and technical expertise to help regions progress through Foundation and Development stages, including diagnostics, planning, governance, co-design of sufficiency strategies, market shaping, adoption of a national data model, and establishment of core regional functions. The Fostering Hubs component requires subject matter expertise in fostering recruitment and retention, supporting approximately 100 participating local authorities with performance monitoring, change management, troubleshooting, and building long-term capability. The contract aims to secure homes for 10,000 more children by 2029 and envisions eventual integration of all local authorities into RCCs.