Tender

Advocacy Services

BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

01 Dec 2025 at 12:19

Planning

19 Aug 2025 at 13:43

Summary of the contracting process

The current public procurement process is being conducted by Blackburn with Darwen for the provision of Advocacy Services, covering two main lots: All Age Advocacy Provision and Independent Health Complaints. The procurement falls under the 'Social work and related services' industry category and will serve the UKD41 region of the United Kingdom. The process is in the tender stage with an open procurement method, and submissions are due by 31st December 2025. The enquiry period closes on 15th December 2025, with an expected award announcement by 26th January 2026. The allocated budget for this tender totals £1,560,000, highlighting the significance of this opportunity within the public services sector.

This tender offers lucrative opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), given its focus on advocacy services, which are pivotal in enhancing community welfare. Businesses with experience in delivering comprehensive social work services or those involved in health advocacy are well-positioned to bid. The contract, set to commence on 1st April 2026, can foster business growth through substantial financial inflow and an increased market footprint within Blackburn and its surrounding areas. Moreover, the option to extend the contract beyond the initial three-year period could present additional revenue and stability for successful bidders, with potential uplifts in contract price in subsequent years dependent on budget availability and approval.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Advocacy Services

Notice Description

Advocacy Services Lot 1 - All Age Advocacy Provision Lot 2 - Independent Health Complaints

Lot Information

All Age Advocacy Provision

Provision of Advocacy Services to All Ages

Renewal: Option to extend for two additional one year periods, subject to service demand. The contract price will be fixed for the initial three year period with potential uplifts in years four and five subject to budget availability and approval.

Independent Health Complaints

Provision of Independent Complaints Advocacy for NHS Complaints

Renewal: Option to extend for two additional one year periods, subject to service demand. The contract price will be fixed for the initial three year period with potential uplifts in years four and five subject to budget availability and approval.

Planning Information

Dear Providers, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is looking to procure for: Adults and Children’s Advocacy Services, with scope to create an all-age Advocacy provision. You are invited to take part in a face-to-face pre-market engagement event on: Monday 8th September 2025 10am – 1pm The event location is: Town Hall Room A King William Street Blackburn BB1 7DT The total funding for this programme is: £1,180,055 STC (three years plus an additional one + one year) If you wish to attend please let us know no later than Tuesday 26th August 2025 by completing the Microsoft Form below: https://forms.office.com/e/Pnqvj60mcy Please note that due to space available attendance is limited to two delegates per organisation. Kind Regards, Contracts and Commissioning Team

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058a9c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078456-2025
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,300,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,300,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Dec 20253 days ago
Submission Deadline
31 Dec 20254 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
6 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 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
BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN
Contact Name
Hollie Pearson
Contact Email
hollie.pearson@blackburn.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BLACKBURN
Postcode
BB2 1DH
Post Town
Blackburn
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD4 Lancashire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD41 Blackburn with Darwen
Delivery Location
TLD41 Blackburn with Darwen

Local Authority
Blackburn with Darwen
Electoral Ward
Blackburn Central
Westminster Constituency
Blackburn

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058a9c-2025-12-01T12:19:00Z",
    "date": "2025-12-01T12:19:00Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058a9c",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PYGR-1856-CVXM",
            "name": "Blackburn with Darwen",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PYGR-1856-CVXM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "10 Duke Street",
                "locality": "Blackburn",
                "postalCode": "BB2 1DH",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKD41"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Hollie Pearson",
                "email": "hollie.pearson@blackburn.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.blackburn.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PYGR-1856-CVXM",
        "name": "Blackburn with Darwen"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Dear Providers, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is looking to procure for: Adults and Children's Advocacy Services, with scope to create an all-age Advocacy provision. You are invited to take part in a face-to-face pre-market engagement event on: Monday 8th September 2025 10am - 1pm The event location is: Town Hall Room A King William Street Blackburn BB1 7DT The total funding for this programme is: PS1,180,055 STC (three years plus an additional one + one year) If you wish to attend please let us know no later than Tuesday 26th August 2025 by completing the Microsoft Form below: https://forms.office.com/e/Pnqvj60mcy Please note that due to space available attendance is limited to two delegates per organisation. Kind Regards, Contracts and Commissioning Team",
                "dueDate": "2025-08-26T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "049870-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049870-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-08-19T14:43:41+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "139",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Advocacy Services",
        "description": "Advocacy Services Lot 1 - All Age Advocacy Provision Lot 2 - Independent Health Complaints",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85300000",
                        "description": "Social work and related services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKD41",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKD41",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "85300000",
                        "description": "Social work and related services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKD41",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "2"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 1560000,
            "amount": 1300000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "lightTouch"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "active",
                "title": "All Age Advocacy Provision",
                "description": "Provision of Advocacy Services to All Ages",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 1440000,
                    "amount": 1200000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Method Statements",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 85,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 15,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "None"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "None"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Option to extend for two additional one year periods, subject to service demand. The contract price will be fixed for the initial three year period with potential uplifts in years four and five subject to budget availability and approval."
                }
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "title": "Independent Health Complaints",
                "description": "Provision of Independent Complaints Advocacy for NHS Complaints",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 120000,
                    "amount": 100000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Method Statements",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 85,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 15,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "None"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "None"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2031-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Option to extend for two additional one year periods, subject to service demand. The contract price will be fixed for the initial three year period with potential uplifts in years four and five subject to budget availability and approval."
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-10-06T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "active",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "submissionMethodDetails": "All submissions must be done so via the Chest portal https://www.the-chest.org.uk/",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-31T12:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-15T12:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-26T23:59:59+00:00"
        },
        "lotDetails": {
            "maximumLotsBidPerSupplier": 1,
            "maximumLotsAwardedPerSupplier": 1,
            "awardCriteriaDetails": "Lots may be awarded to the same or different suppliers"
        },
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "L-1",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Method Statements for Lot 1",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=d744b708-aace-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-2",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Method Statements for Lot 2",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=d68017c7-adce-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-3",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "All Age Advocacy Pricing Schedule",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=d23035d9-adce-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-4",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Independent Health Complaints Pricing Schedule",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=775649eb-adce-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-5",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "ITT Document",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=b14946fd-adce-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-6",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "PSQ Document",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=80e46f0f-aece-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-7",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Service Specification",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=8679a31b-aece-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument"
            },
            {
                "id": "L-8",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Advocacy Services Contract",
                "url": "https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=641ae233-aece-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument"
            },
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "078456-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078456-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-12-01T12:19:00Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "contractTerms": {
            "financialTerms": "Invoices to be submitted prior to payment, payment made quarterly."
        },
        "riskDetails": "Key risks/issues 1. Political Risks Policy changes: Shifts in government priorities (e.g. funding focus, devolution, or centralisation of advocacy provision) could affect long-term sustainability or service scope. Local government restructuring: Changes in local authority boundaries or budgets may disrupt commissioning or alter responsibilities. Stakeholder alignment: Differing agendas between local authorities, NHS bodies, and third-sector partners could create conflicts in service design or funding. Public sector funding cuts: Political pressure to reduce spending could limit available budgets for advocacy services. 2. Economic Risks Budget constraints: Reduced funding for public services can lead to under-procurement, affecting service quality and capacity. Inflation and cost of living: Rising operational costs (e.g., staffing, travel, training, technology) could make delivery less viable within fixed contracts. Market instability: If few providers exist, or if smaller charities merge or close, procurement competition and resilience decrease. Value for money challenges: Balancing quality advocacy with affordability may pressure providers to reduce staff pay or training. 3. Social Risks Changing demographics: Growing elderly population, complex needs, and increasing mental health concerns across all ages could drive demand beyond capacity. Inequalities in access: Risk that certain groups (e.g., people with learning disabilities, children, ethnic minorities, rural residents) might be underserved. Public awareness: Low awareness of advocacy rights can lead to underuse or inconsistent referrals. Workforce challenges: Recruiting and retaining skilled advocates, particularly in rural or high-cost areas, may be difficult."
    },
    "language": "en"
}