Planning

Direct Payments Support Service

LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

23 Jan 2026 at 08:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 May 2025 at 08:40

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Lancashire County Council is currently in the planning stage for a new procurement process titled "Direct Payments Support Service," set to address the needs within the health and social work services sector. As a buyer, the council is engaging with prospective providers to innovate and enhance support services related to direct payments and individual service funds. The procurement process encompasses regions within Lancashire, UK, and is aligned with their operating model of "Living Better Lives in Lancashire." Interested parties are invited to express interest by 4 p.m. on 13 February 2026, as part of a market engagement before the scheduled contract period begins on 1 April 2027 and could extend up to 31 March 2033.

This tender represents a substantial business growth opportunity for organisations capable of delivering innovative solutions in supporting individuals with direct payments. Suitable candidates include SMEs and VCSEs with expertise in providing information, advice, payroll, and recruitment support for personal assistants, among other services. The procurement follows a competitive flexible procedure, encouraging a diverse range of suppliers to present proposals that address Lancashire's ambition to increase independent living through direct payments support. With a gross value of approximately £6,912,000, this opportunity is noteworthy for businesses looking to expand their service offerings within the public sector in the UK.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Direct Payments Support Service

Notice Description

Direct Payment Support Service in Lancashire offers Information and advice, payroll support, support to recruit Personal Assistants and supported banking services for individuals in receipt of a direct payment.

Planning Information

Lancashire County Council is in the process of undertaking a review and redesign of Direct Payments Support Services. The Council is yet to determine how these services will be commissioned and in future, different elements of the service may be delivered by one or more providers. Our operating model, Living Better Lives in Lancashire, guides how we work and make decisions. We are passionate about promoting people's wellbeing and independence and have more than 4000 people in receipt of a Direct Payment. The Council's intention is to move to a Direct Payments first model and increase the numbers of people who can benefit from directing their own support. We are interested in hearing from providers who have innovative solutions to supporting people with Direct Payments and Individual Service Funds to enhance our support offer. We are also interested in hearing from support providers who offer Independent Individual Service Funds. We wish to engage with key stakeholders who can deliver all or some of the proposed service elements in relation to some of the key elements of the Service, including changes from the existing provision. If you would like to take part in our review process, please send an expression of interest including 'Direct Payments' in the subject of the email to awpicomm@lancashire.gov.uk by 4pm on Friday 13th February 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0513e4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006009-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,760,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Additional Buyers

SOCIAL VALUE PORTAL LTD

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
caphprocurement@lancashire.gov.uk, support@socialvalueportal.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
PRESTON
Postcode
PR1 0LD
Post Town
Preston
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location
TLD4 Lancashire
Local Authority
Lambeth
Electoral Ward
Vauxhall
Westminster Constituency
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

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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