Tender

ASC25078 Direct Payment Support

WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

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 is inviting tenders for the contract titled "ASC25078 Direct Payment Support" to provide Direct Payment Support across Worcestershire. This procurement is currently at the tender stage, with a submission deadline of 12 January 2026. The project is divided into two lots: Lot 1 for a Strategic Support Partner and Lot 2 for a Finance Partner, both falling under the Health and Social Work Services category. The total contract value is estimated at £2,463,904 GBP. Key dates include the enquiry period ending on 15 December 2025 and the contract award expected by 26 March 2026. The procurement method is an open competitive flexible procedure, ensuring electronic submission in English is allowed via the In-Tend platform.

This tender presents significant opportunities for growth, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs, given the suitability of both lots for these business types. Lot 1 aims to promote strategic support that involves advising Direct Payment recipients and partnering with various community sectors, offering a remarkable opportunity for organisations with expertise in micro-brokerage and community service integration. Meanwhile, Lot 2 focuses on providing comprehensive financial management services, suitable for businesses with strengths in financial services and payroll management. Engaging in such projects could boost a company’s portfolio by positioning it as a key partner in the provision of essential community support services in the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05662d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078158-2025
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
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

85310000 - Social work services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Nov 20256 days ago
Submission Deadline
12 Jan 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
24 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2031 Over 5 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
WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Deb Roe
Contact Email
procurement@worcestershire.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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

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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