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Family Link Worker Service

Dorset Council

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

01 May 2026 at 09:20

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

11 Feb 2026 at 15:15

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

23 Oct 2025 at 16:41

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

19 Jun 2025 at 16:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the Family Link Worker Service, managed by Dorset Council, has reached its award and contract stage with the contract beginning on 17 April 2026. Dorset Council, notable in the public authority sector, initiated this open procedure tender with a focus on providing intensive support within family homes. The procurement, centred in Dorchester, UK, falls under the health and social work services industry category. The contract is valued at £882,000, with potential extensions extending to 31 March 2030, subject to performance and funding. Key documents and notices were completed with the final award notice published on 1 May 2026.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for those in the health and social work sectors. As the procurement favoured an open procedure, it was accessible and competitive, especially for SMEs, as evidenced by the successful bid from the supplier, Caring for Communities and People, a VCSE organisation. Providers of intensive family support, particularly those with expertise in working with local councils or similar public sector entities, will find the conditions of this contract favourable, including options for renewals and additional purchases. The successful bidder stands to benefit by being part of a major public service initiative focused on family and community support in the Dorset region.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Family Link Worker Service

Notice Description

Family Link Workers provide intensive, hands-on support within the family home. They are one element of additional support, made available to Lead Practitioners in our Family Help teams and Early Support partners (such as schools and health workers) who are supporting families in need, within our communities. The service is part of our Families First approach. Families First for Children Pathfinder - Dorset Council

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The contracting authority reserves the right to extend or renew the term of the contract as stated above. The contracting authority reserves the right to additional goods, services, or works while the contract is valid. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to modify this contract during its term in accordance with Section 74(1)(a) and Paragraph 1 of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023. These modifications may include: The contracting authority also reserves the right to carry out a subsequent Procurement of similar goods, services or works in reliance on the direct award justification in paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023.

Renewal: The Contract will be for an initial 1 year, with three optional 12-month extension periods (1+1+1), subject to satisfactory performance and funding, giving a potential total contract period of 4 years.

Planning Information

This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition. It is being published to give notice to the market of an upcoming procurement anticipated for release in July/August 2025. Dorset Council is preparing to procure a provider for its Family Link Worker (FLW) Service, which forms a key part of the Council’s Families First model. This service builds on the success of the Supporting Families programme, which ceased as a distinct government initiative in March 2025. As part of our commitment to transparency and early market engagement under the Procurement Act 2023, Dorset Council is inviting interested providers to attend a Market Engagement Webinar. This session will provide an overview of the upcoming opportunity, the service model, and the procurement process, and will include a Q&A session. About the Service The Family Link Worker service provides intensive, hands-on support to families in their homes. It is designed to: • Support Lead Practitioners and Early Support partners (e.g., schools, health workers) • Address whole-family needs through co-produced family plans • Focus on parenting, routines, behaviour management, and engagement in positive activities • Deliver support through role modelling and practical interventions Webinar Details Date: Wednesday, 9 July 2025 Time: 10:00–10:45 AM Format: Online (Microsoft Teams) Registration: Email dorsetfamiliesmatter@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 17:00 hours Tuesday 8 July to receive the joining link. We welcome your questions in advance of the webinar. When you email us to register, please include any questions you'd like us to address during the session. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions live during the webinar. If we’re unable to answer a question during the session, we’ll follow up with a written response after the event. After the event, all registered participants will receive: • A full summary of all questions and answers discussed during the webinar • A copy of the presentation slide pack This information will also be made available as part of the tender pack. Who Should Attend This event is open to all interested providers. Participation in this event does not confer any advantage in the procurement process and is intended solely to ensure a level playing field and informed competition. Registration Requirements It is the provider’s responsibility to register on The Central Digital Platform (CDP) as soon as possible to avoid delays once the tender is launched. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html To access information about future tendering opportunities and procurement documentation providers must be registered on the Supplying the South West Portal: www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk Compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 This notice is issued in accordance with Section 17 of the Procurement Act 2023, which encourages early engagement with the market. All information shared during the webinar will be made available to all potential bidders to ensure fairness and transparency. Disclaimer Dorset Council reserves the right not to commence any procurement in respect of this notice. Dorset Council shall not be liable for any losses incurred by any party as a result of reliance on the information contained/linked herein. The information contained in this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is preliminary in nature and may be subject to further amendment and revision. Accordingly, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, will be made and no liability is, or will be, accepted by the Council as to the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of this document. Any liability, however arising, is expressly disclaimed. No expense in responding to this soft market testing will be reimbursed by the Council.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055053
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040273-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

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
£882,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£882,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£882,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£882,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
9 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
11 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
17 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Dorset Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DORCHESTER
Postcode
DT1 1XJ
Postcode Area
Dorchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK64 Dorset
Delivery Location
TLK25 Dorset
Local Authority
Dorset
Electoral Ward
Dorchester West
Westminster Constituency
West Dorset

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Caring for Communities and People

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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