Award

ASC25078 Direct Payment Support

WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

26 Mar 2026 at 09:59

Tender

28 Nov 2025 at 14:47

PlanningUpdate

15 Oct 2025 at 10:18

Planning

14 Oct 2025 at 10:19

Planning

25 Jul 2025 at 10:52

Summary of the contracting process

Worcestershire County Council has completed the procurement stage for the Direct Payment Support contract, aimed at enhancing the provision of direct payments within the region. The procurement process utilised the open competitive flexible procedure under the light-touch regime. This initiative falls within the health and social work services category, focusing on providing strategic support and financial management services. The contract is split into two lots: Lot 1, a Direct Payments Strategic Support Partner, and Lot 2, a Direct Payment Finance Partner, both scheduled to commence on 1st July 2026 and extend over a five-year period, with potential for a two-year renewal. Key partners involved in the strategic support include voluntary and community sector entities, with the finance aspect managed by supplier Ideal for All. The award notice was published on 26th March 2026, with procurements completed and planned vendor signature date set for 1st May 2026.

These contracts offer significant opportunities for businesses, especially those experienced in social work and financial services related to direct payment schemes. Given the projected growth and strategic focus, the contracts are particularly suited for VCSEs and SMEs with capabilities in micro-brokerage services and managed accounts or payroll systems for personal assistants. The targeted involvement with local communities ensures not only the sustainable delivery of services but also potential collaborations with Worcestershire’s Communities Directorate and public health initiatives. This creates ample scope for businesses knowledgeable in similar service provision to expand their operations and influence within the county, supporting the evolution of direct payments with a sourceable and adaptable model that benefits social value and quality standards.

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Notice Title

ASC25078 Direct Payment Support

Notice Description

The Council is seeking a supplier to deliver Direct Payment Support across two distinct Lots. A supplier can be awarded either a single Lot or both Lots o Lot 1 - Direct Payments Strategic Support Partner o Lot 2 - Direct Payment Finance Partner The Direct Payments Strategic Support Partner would be required to deliver strategic support to promote the growth of direct payments across Worcestershire and find suitable services to meet the needs of direct payment recipients. As part of Lot 1 the Strategic Support Partner would act as a micro brokerage service for Direct Payment recipients, advising what may be available to them in their area, both paid for and free services that might be available in the Voluntary Community Sector (VCS). The Supplier would also be required to advise social work staff where required. This wider remit could lead to closer working with the Communities Directorate, social prescribers and public health initiatives, supporting the Council to deliver the right service at the right time and the right price. There is evidence that this has worked well in other local authorities, especially with voluntary or service-user-led organisations. It is likely that the VCS will benefit from this approach as they have all the skills available to support people to maximise the potential of direct payments. As part of Lot 2, the Direct Payment Finance Partner would deliver a financial management service with elements within the contract covering support for the payments, including managed accounts and payroll for Personal Assistants (PAs). The Finance Partner would also be operating managed accounts on WCC's behalf in line with new approval process and are required to employ PA's to deliver cost-effective services.

Lot Information

Lot 1 Direct Payments Strategic Support Partner

The Direct Payments Strategic Support Partner would be required to deliver strategic support to promote the growth of direct payments across Worcestershire and find suitable services to meet the needs of direct payment recipients. As part of Lot 1 the Strategic Support Partner would act as a micro brokerage service for Direct Payment recipients, advising what may be available to them in their area, both paid for and free services that might be available in the Voluntary Community Sector (VCS). The Supplier would also be required to advise social work staff where required. This wider remit could lead to closer working with the Communities Directorate, social prescribers and public health initiatives, supporting the Council to deliver the right service at the right time and the right price. There is evidence that this has worked well in other local authorities, especially with voluntary or service-user-led organisations. It is likely that the VCS will benefit from this approach as they have all the skills available to support people to maximise the potential of direct payments.

Renewal: option to extend for up to 2 years subject to funding and performance

Lot 2 - Direct Payment Finance Partner

Lot 2, the Direct Payment Finance Partner would deliver a financial management service with elements within the contract covering support for the payments, including managed accounts and payroll for Personal Assistants (PAs). The Finance Partner would also be operating managed accounts on WCC's behalf in line with new approval process and are required to employ PA's to deliver cost-effective services.

Renewal: option to extend for up to 2 years subject to funding and performance

Planning Information

The Council held a virtual open information and feedback session on Thursday 7th August 2025. Slides and supplementary documentation are available via In-Tend. Worcestershire County Council would now like to invite interested organisations to further feedback on the proposed Service Specification via an MS Forms survey https://forms.office.com/e/CeMbarQBAA The specification documents are available via In-Tend. Your views and feedback will not be used for any part of the tender process and will only be used for the development of the specification.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05662d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027712-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible 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

85310000 - Social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,053,254 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,053,254 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,759,932 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
12 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
24 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
25 Mar 20261 months ago
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY 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
WORCESTER
Postcode
WR5 2NP
Post Town
Worcester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG12 Worcestershire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Worcester
Electoral Ward
Nunnery
Westminster Constituency
Worcester

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

IDEAL FOR ALL

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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