Award

UOS-S00974 - Student Assistance Program

UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

02 Mar 2026 at 13:04

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Suffolk is awarding a contract under its Student Assistance Program to Health Assured, a large-scale supplier, for the provision of counselling services. The services will be delivered to students at the Ipswich campus, offering support to a diverse student body spanning international, undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship, and PhD students. This procurement is classified under the counselling services category and is being conducted via a direct procurement method, specifically through a single tender action below the threshold. The contract period is set to commence on 1 January 2026 and will last until 31 December 2028, adhering to the university’s commitment to ensuring continuous mental health support without service gaps. The tender process concluded on 24 November 2025, with an award active date of 9 December 2025.

This contract presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in mental health support and counselling services, particularly those capable of catering to extensive and varied student needs. As the procurement method favours direct engagement, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate where applicable, although this specific contract was awarded to Health Assured. Organisations that can offer flexible services and scalable solutions to accommodate students living both on and off campus, including those in placement settings, would be well-suited to engage in similar procurement opportunities. The focus on student wellbeing aligns with national priorities and indicates an ongoing demand for skilled providers in the sector, highlighting areas for potential business growth in the East of England.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UOS-S00974 - Student Assistance Program

Notice Description

For the purpose of this tender, we require the supplier to provide services to students at our Ipswich campus (approx. 3500 students) which include international, undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship, and PhD students, spread across full-time and part-time courses. Students live both on and off campus and represent a truly diverse community. Many students commute to campus from within the county, neighbouring counties, and London. Our health provision also means that students spend a proportion of their course in placement settings. At Suffolk, in line with the national picture, we have seen a significant growth in the demand for student mental health services. Nearly 1 in 4 young people will experience suicidal feelings at least once in their lives. 1 in 20 will try and take their own life. We are committed to the prevention of suicide, a safe campus and our work is aligned to Student Minds University Mental Health Charter principles. Our aim is to make mental health and wellbeing a topic that every student feels comfortable talking about. We are currently under contract for this service. However, the contract term will be ending on 31 December 2025. We are conducting this tender process in preparation for a new contract term, and it is vitally important that there is no gap in service. We expect any new provider to commence delivery on 1 January 2026. The Contractor will deliver counselling and emotional wellbeing services to the students that are registered with the University of Suffolk, Ipswich campus, including students on intermission but excluding students from any partnership arrangements. Services will be made available as per the terms set out within this invitation to tender and any subsequent contract.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-a1cf69fb-0ce0-4564-a47d-e606006cb569
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f68a5fc4-06b0-4883-8a96-86c7a46efc61
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Single tender action (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85312320 - Counselling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£42,630 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
24 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Dec 20253 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP4 1QJ
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Alexandra
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HEALTH ASSURED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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