The Specialist Care Framework (Telford & Wrekin, TWC001199): Learning Disability & Complex Care Tender Guide

November 27, 2025

Published notice date: 24 November 2025
Authority: Borough of Telford & Wrekin (UKG21 – Telford and Wrekin)
Tender title: The Specialist Care Framework
Reference: TWC001199 / 2025/S 000-076559
Estimated total value: £65,000,000 (excl. VAT)
Planned framework start: 1 April 2026 (24 months, with reopenings)
Submission deadline (current round): 13 January 2026

Note: This article provides a general summary and commentary on the publicly available tender “The Specialist Care Framework” (TWC001199) published by Borough of Telford & Wrekin on Find a Tender and related portals. No restricted documents or clarification content are reproduced.

Overview of “The Specialist Care Framework” (TWC001199)

Borough of Telford & Wrekin is commissioning a multi-lot, multi-provider Specialist Care Framework for adults with:

Learning disabilities
Autism
Mental health needs
Acquired brain injury (ABI)

The framework is designed to support people across a wide spectrum of need and complexity, bringing together learning disability, autism and complex care services under one structure. It operates as an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, with the intention to reopen periodically so additional providers can join over time.

The authority is looking to work with experienced providers who can deliver curious, compassionate and solution-focused support, grounded in person-centred practice and modern strengths-based approaches.

Lots within the Specialist Care Framework

The framework is divided into four lots, reflecting increasing levels of support and complexity:

Lot 1 – Living Well

Community-led support, often non-regulated, focused on helping people to live well and stay connected in their communities. This lot is likely to interest learning disability and autism providers with strong community-based, preventative and enabling models.

Lot 2 – Regulated Community Support

Care and support delivered in line with relevant regulatory standards (e.g. CQC), typically in people’s own homes and supported living arrangements. This is a core area for providers specialising in learning disability and autism support in the community.

Lot 3 – Specialist Complex Community Support

Specialist community provision for people with higher levels of complexity, including behaviours of concern, forensic histories or multiple co-existing needs. This lot will be particularly relevant to complex care providers with robust PBS, clinical oversight and risk management capabilities.

Lot 4 – Residential Services

Residential care for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and acquired brain injury, including higher-dependency and complex presentations where 24-hour support is required.

Providers may be interested in one or multiple lots, depending on their registration, footprint and service model.

Key Themes and Commissioning Expectations

While each lot has distinct service requirements, several themes are consistent across the Specialist Care Framework:

1. Person-Centred, Strengths-Based Practice

The authority is clear that it wants support which is built around the person, not the service. Bids will need to evidence:

Use of person-centred planning and risk enablement
Co-production with people and families
Support to build skills, independence and community connections
Respect for people’s rights, preferences and communication styles

2. Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity-Informed Care

Given the focus on adults with learning disabilities, autism and ABI, commissioners will expect providers to demonstrate:

Strong understanding of learning disability and autism good practice
Alignment with national guidance on reasonable adjustments, communication and sensory needs
Use of positive behaviour support (PBS) where required
Commitment to reducing restrictive practices and promoting quality of life

3. Complex Care Capability

For the more specialist and complex lots, bidders will need to show a credible offer for people with higher clinical, behavioural or forensic risks, including:

Robust assessment and transition planning
Clinical input and multidisciplinary working (where applicable)
Clear behaviour support frameworks and crisis planning
Safeguarding, risk management and quality assurance processes that stand up to scrutiny

4. Outcomes, Value and System Alignment

The framework is being commissioned in the context of wider system goals, including transforming care, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and supporting people closer to home. Strong bids will:

Set out clear, measurable outcomes linked to independence, wellbeing and reduced reliance on institutional care
Demonstrate value for money in a way that goes beyond headline hourly rates or bed prices
Show alignment with local strategies, including preparing for adulthood where young adults are supported

Opportunities for Learning Disability & Complex Care Providers

The Specialist Care Framework represents a significant opportunity for providers who specialise in learning disability, autism and complex care. It can support:

Growth and consolidation of services in Telford & Wrekin and surrounding areas
Development of new community-based options for people with complex needs
Stronger partnership working with the local authority and wider system

If you are a learning disability or complex care provider considering this framework, you may want to review your:

Service models and pathways across community and residential care
Readiness to support people with higher levels of complexity safely
Evidence base for outcomes, quality and lived-experience feedback

Specialist Bid Writing Support – Learning Disability & Complex Care

I support providers across the UK to design and articulate strong service models for frameworks like The Specialist Care Framework, with a particular focus on learning disability, autism and complex care.

Find out more about how I work with providers here:

Support can include:

Shaping and stress-testing your framework strategy and lot selection
Co-designing LD/autism and complex care service models, pathways and staffing structures
Developing high-scoring responses on quality, outcomes, safeguarding and risk
Reviewing and strengthening draft submissions before upload

Need a Quick Bid Writing Quote?

If you are working to tight timescales and need to understand options quickly, you can request a no-obligation quote here:

Request a Bid Writing Quote – Impact Guru

I will typically respond with:

A clear scope of work
Estimated days required
A fixed-fee quote
Any immediate risks, considerations or quick wins

At the time of writing, The Specialist Care Framework (TWC001199) is live with a submission deadline of 13 January 2026. If you are reading this after the deadline, the principles and guidance in this article will remain relevant for future learning disability, autism and complex care tenders in Telford & Wrekin and beyond.

💼 Rapid Support Products (fast turnaround options)

⚡ 48-Hour Tender Triage
🆘 Bid Rescue Session – 60 minutes
✍️ Score Booster – Tender Answer Rewrite
🧩 Tender Answer Blueprint
📝 Tender Proofreading & Light Editing
🔍 Pre-Tender Readiness Audit
📁 Tender Document Review

🚀 Need a Bid Writing Quote?

If you’re exploring support for an upcoming tender or framework, request a quick, no-obligation quote. I’ll review your documents and respond with:

A clear scope of work
Estimated days required
A fixed fee quote
Any risks, considerations or quick wins

📄 Request a Bid Writing Quote →

🔁 Prefer Flexible Monthly Support?

If you regularly handle tenders, frameworks or call-offs, a Monthly Bid Support Retainer may be a better fit.

Guaranteed hours each month (1, 2, 4 or 8 days)
Discounted day rates vs ad-hoc consultancy
Use time flexibly across bids, triage, library updates, renewals
One-month rollover (fair-use rules applied)
Cancel anytime before next billing date

Explore Monthly Retainers →

🚀 Ready to Win Your Next Bid?

Chat on WhatsApp or email Mike.Harrison@impact-guru.co.uk

Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)