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Children & Young People Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services

Staffordshire County Council

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

23 Feb 2026 at 08:18

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

06 Jan 2026 at 06:52

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

15 Oct 2025 at 07:48

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

14 Aug 2025 at 12:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Staffordshire County Council is the contracting authority for the tender titled "Children & Young People Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services," which falls under the industry category of health and social work services. The procurement process follows an open procedure and is supported by the light touch regime. This opportunity involves services aimed at vulnerable groups such as looked after children, children involved in protection proceedings, and individuals with special educational needs and disabilities in Staffordshire, UK. Key dates include the contract period spanning from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028, with a possible extension until 31st March 2029. The procurement process is now in the award stage, following commencement of the tender process earlier in planning and tender stages.

This tender presents ample growth opportunities for businesses specialising in advocacy and support services within the social work sector. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly well-placed to compete, given the suitability of the lots for these types of organisations. The contract, valued grossly at GBP 840,000, is awarded to ASIST., an SME, showcasing that smaller entities can successfully bid in such competitive settings. Businesses with capabilities in providing consistent advocacy, support for children and young people, and independent visitor services can expand their portfolio and reputation in working alongside reputable public bodies like Staffordshire County Council.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Children & Young People Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services

Notice Description

The service will comprise of three main elements: A. Independent Advocacy as required in statute for Staffordshire Looked After Children (5-25yrs), Children involved in Child Protection Proceedings (5-18yrs), and Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (including Learning Disabilities) 5-25yrs: The overall aim of the Service is to fulfil the authority's statutory requirements with respect to the availability of independent advocates to a high standard and improve outcomes for vulnerable groups. The Provider will do this by ensuring the views of children and young people are well represented and where required, they are provided with appropriate advocacy. B. Independent Visitors Service for Staffordshire Children in our Care: Will improve outcomes for Staffordshire Children in Care by using trained independent volunteers to visit, befriend and advise eligible young people. The independent visitors will provide consistency within the lives of young people who may be experiencing a number of changes. They will be a source of support, information, and guidance, encouraging young people to achieve their full potential and access the full range of opportunities that are available to them. C. Parenting Advocacy Services: The Provider will provide a Parenting Advocacy Service for adults who are aged over 25 years of age and have assessed Special Education Needs and Disability or have had a cognitive/capacity assessment that has deemed that the individual lacks the capacity to advocate for themselves. This Parenting Advocacy Service is to be provided to parent/parents of a Child who is subject to open Child Protection Planning/Early Intervention and Child in Need planning. There is an additional requirement to fulfil the following services, but these are of a much more limited volume: D. Independent Person(s) for Secure Accommodation Reviews: Will advocate on behalf of the child, ensuring their wishes and feelings are given due consideration by the local authority. The Independent Person will also be a member of the secure criteria review panel who decides whether the criteria for a young person remaining in secure accommodation is met. E. Appropriate Adult for Independent Age Assessments for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children & Young People: Will have the skills to support the child or young person in and to challenge social workers if they feel the interview is not being conducted appropriately. They should advocate on behalf of the child or young person, represent their best interests, and ensure that the child or young person's welfare needs are met during the interview process.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. At the Authority's entire discretion, the term may be extended by 12 months to the 31st March 2029 on the same terms for such period in accordance with the contract.

Renewal: The contract will commence on 1st April 2026 and, subject to earlier termination in accordance with its terms, will continue until midnight on 31st March 2028. At the Authority's entire discretion, the term may be extended by 12 months until the 31st March 2029 on the same terms for such period in accordance with the condition set out in the contract.

Planning Information

1.The provider will access the consultation form via this link: • https://forms.office.com/e/WpQJKEsEuv 2.The form will then guide the provider through the consultation feedback required and allow commentary around the future services. 3.Staffordshire County Council will consider all consultation feedback received and where appropriate incorporate this into future service requirements. 4.A summarised version of all responses received through consultation will be made available as part of any future tender documents.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0587d7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015889-2026
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
£700,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
12 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
6 Jan 20267 months ago
Contract Period
1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Staffordshire 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
STAFFORD
Postcode
ST16 2DH
Postcode Area
Stoke-on-Trent
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG24 Staffordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLG24 Staffordshire CC
Local Authority
Stafford
Electoral Ward
Forebridge
Westminster Constituency
Stafford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ASIST.

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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