Tender

Independent Visiting Service for Cared For Children and Young People in Cumberland

CUMBERLAND COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

05 Sep 2025 at 07:51

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

07 Jul 2025 at 07:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

07 Jul 2025 at 07:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cumberland Council is currently in the tender stage for the procurement of an Independent Visiting Service for Cared For Children and Young People in Cumberland. This procurement process falls under the "Health services" and "Social work and related services" categories. The service aims to provide support to children in various care settings, enhancing their consistent support system through adult volunteers. The opportunity is available in the UK region UKD1, with the procurement method set as an open competition below the threshold, following the light touch special regime. Key dates to note include the tender closure on 6th October 2025. The initial contract is set to commence on 1st April 2026 and could potentially extend until 31st March 2030, based on performance and additional funding availability.

This tender offers promising growth opportunities for businesses involved in health and social services, particularly those experienced in working with vulnerable children. It is especially suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, benefiting those who can provide voluntary-led, relationship-based models of support. By participating, businesses can enhance their profile in providing essential social services, aligning with Cumberland Council’s strategic goals for social impact and consistency in child welfare. The contract’s high emphasis on quality and social value presents a significant opportunity for businesses that excel in these areas to demonstrate their capabilities and foster sustainable community growth.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Visiting Service for Cared For Children and Young People in Cumberland

Notice Description

Cumberland Council wishes to commission a contract for an Independent Visiting Service for Cared For Children and Young People in Cumberland. Cared For Children and Young People include those in foster care, residential care, education settings and secure accommodation who: Have had the need for an Independent Visitor identified as being in their best interests within their care plan and / or Requests / agrees to the service of an Independent Visitor. Independent Visitors are adult volunteers who provide independent, one to one support to children who are cared for, to become a consistent figure in their lives when there is no one in their family/network to take on this role. An Independent Visitor is there to visit, advise and befriend a child / young person, offering them consistency, support and encouragement throughout the time they are in care and often beyond this time. All visitors participating in the scheme take part on a voluntary basis. An Independent Visitor is often the only person in the life of a cared for child / young person that is not paid to be there and is there because they want to be. This can have a significant and positive effect on children and young people and can increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. The council proposes to enter into the contract from the 01st April 2026 with the successful tenderer. The initial contract period is from 01st April 2026 - 31st March 2028. The contract end date of 31st March 2030 is the date the contract will end if both of the potential 12 months extensions are used. Use of these extensions is at the absolute discretion of the council. Any extensions will be confirmed with the successful supplier if implemented. The highest estimated value is PS155,913.00 including VAT. This is for the initial term and the two potential 12 months extension periods. For further details and to access the tender documents, including the service specification, please use our online procurement portal - The Chest - https://www.the-chest.org.uk. You must be registered on The Chest. Registration is free. All bids must be received electronically via The Chest by the deadline stated in the Invitation to Tender (ITT). Any clarifications about the tender must be sent via messaging on The Chest by the deadline stated in the ITT.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is the potential for two contract extensions of up to 12 months each, depending on both the success in achieving the required outcomes and availability of further funding.

Planning Information

We are inviting all interested providers to join us for a provider engagement session on the 10th July 2025, 10 am to 12 noon via Microsoft Teams. As part of the provider engagement session the Council Commissioning Team will discuss the outline commissioning plan, talk through the tender process and commissioning timeline. The Service Lead will give an overview of the expectations of the service we wish to deliver. The Council welcomes the views of providers with the ability and experience to deliver this service and there will also be an opportunity for providers to ask questions. To reserve a space on the provider engagement session please send an email to Alice Clague, Commissioning Officer using the following email address: alice.clague@cumberland.gov.uk by 5pm Monday 7th July 2025. A Microsoft Teams invite link and agenda will be sent to all providers who register an interest before the deadline (7th July 2025, 5pm.)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055993
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054115-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£129,927 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£129,927 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
6 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
7 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CUMBERLAND COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
peopleprocurement@cumberland.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CARLISLE
Postcode
CA1 1RD
Post Town
Carlisle
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD1 Cumbria
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD13 Cumberland
Delivery Location
TLD1 Cumbria
Local Authority
Cumberland
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Carlisle

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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