Planning

Soft Market Testing - Specialist child exploitation support service

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Jan 2026 at 16:10

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, conducted by Nottinghamshire County Council, is currently in the planning stage for a tender titled "Soft Market Testing - Specialist child exploitation support service." This falls under the "Social work and related services" industry category, focusing on specialist support for children at risk of exploitation. The procurement process is located in the East Midlands, United Kingdom. An essential milestone in this process is the end date for market engagement, scheduled for 29th January 2026. Nottinghamshire County Council aims to gather data and input from potential providers to inform future commissioning strategies.

This tender presents significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs operating in the social work sector. Businesses with expertise in providing comprehensive support services to children affected by exploitation, both sexual and criminal, will be well-positioned to contribute to this initiative. By participating in this engagement, businesses can help shape the future of service delivery in this critical area and potentially benefit from increased funding targeted at enhancing support for criminally exploited children. Engaging in this process will also provide valuable market insights and strengthen partnerships with Nottinghamshire County Council.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Soft Market Testing - Specialist child exploitation support service

Notice Description

We currently commission a specialist service to support children at risk of sexual exploitation and looking to expand the provisions of this contract to support children impacted by criminal exploitation. In our local area, we recognise that children impacted by criminal exploitation often receive substantial support through our youth justice service, the youth service and other projects (often funded by the Violent Reduction Partnership) which seek to offer safe, positive and aspirational spaces providing opportunities for inclusion, connection and constructive activity. One of the strengths of our current specialist commissioned service is having the remit to reach out to families impacted by child sexual exploitation in a way that provides space, time and connection to increase safety whilst supporting children out of sexual exploitation. We recognise that providing a carbon copy of this approach to children impacted by criminal exploitation may not work in the same way given the statutory involvement of several other welfare and criminal justice services. As such, we are looking at what an increase in funding (by 1/3) for our commissioned specialist service could achieve for children impacted by criminal exploitation in light of other support available through local statutory and non-statutory services. Your feedback will help us better understand market conditions, refine our commissioning strategy, and ensure that any potential future contact is informed by provider experience. We value your input and expertise in the market, and welcome open and honest conversations throughout the process. To reiterate, this is not a procurement exercise but rather a data gathering exercise.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-bf72487b-8cf4-43ab-a3d5-9aef9b2888a6
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ab5c491a-1a32-49af-bfc1-a4fbcf390280
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jan 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Jan 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Samantha Gilbert
Contact Email
samantha.gilbert@nottscc.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1158546049

Buyer Location

Locality
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Postcode
NG2 7QP
Post Town
Nottingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF16 South Nottinghamshire
Delivery Location
TLF East Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Rushcliffe
Electoral Ward
Trent Bridge
Westminster Constituency
Rushcliffe

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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