Fostering Medical Assessments and Medical Advisor Services - Soft Market Test

Leicester City Council is conducting a soft market test to explore the availability and capability of organisations to deliver fostering medical assessments and independent medical advice services. The council seeks to understand alternative delivery models that can provide timely, high-quality assessments while meeting statutory requirements, as traditional GP-led assessments face capacity challenges. Services required include completion of Adult Health Reports (AH1 and AH2), medical summaries, and attendance at fostering panels. The council is interested in understanding delivery options including: a single provider model, lead provider with subcontractors, or geographical delivery across defined localities. There is potential for expansion across Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire (LLRN) through a collaborative commissioning approach. This is a non-competitive market test intended solely to gather information and understand provider interest and capability. Responses will inform future commissioning strategy and service specification development. No formal criteria will be applied to evaluate responses, and no contract will be awarded as a result of this process. Leicester City Council is a unitary authority serving approximately 380,000 people and delivers a wide range of children's social care services for one of the UK's youngest and most diverse cities.