Award

HMPPS Prisoner's Family Helpline 2026 - 2029

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

19 Jan 2026 at 10:01

Tender

22 Oct 2025 at 12:56

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice has completed the procurement process for the "HMPPS Prisoner's Family Helpline 2026 - 2029," which focuses on providing essential advice and support services relating to the Criminal Justice System. The contract was awarded to the Prison Advice & Care Trust (PACT), valued at £791,313.60, and spans from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. Located in London, this procurement falls under the services category and was carried out using an open procedure. A standstill period will conclude on 28 January 2026, with the contract set to potentially extend for an additional year. This project emphasises the importance of supporting families of offenders, particularly those from ethnically diverse communities in the UK.

This helpline presents significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) to engage in potentially lucrative contracts that foster societal improvement. Companies with expertise in family support services, particularly those possessing an innovative edge and digital engagement capabilities, are well-suited to compete in such tenders. The helpline's success depends on strong service delivery and effective stakeholder collaboration, making it an ideal opportunity for businesses committed to improving societal outcomes and reducing recidivism through family connections.

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Notice Title

HMPPS Prisoner's Family Helpline 2026 - 2029

Notice Description

The Prisoner's Family Helpline provides advice and information on all aspects of the Criminal Justice System from what happens on arrest, visiting a prison, to preparing for release. In addition to practical support, the helpline is there to offer emotional support and often advocate on behalf of the prisoner's families and significant others. Between January and March 2024 in England and Wales, 17,600 people were committed to custody and many more to non-custodial sentences in the community. In custody, many may leave children, partners, parents, other family members and significant others to manage alone. Families and significant others of offenders may find themselves marginalised by their communities with no official support agency catering for their needs. Many families do not access any available support services for a variety of reasons, such as the stigma of imprisonment or pride, and therefore they find themselves struggling to cope. Forty-four percent of adults who leave prison are reconvicted within one year of release and around half of those convicted are sentenced to serve six months or less. Research has shown that prisoners who receive visits during their time in custody are around 39% less likely to re-offend than those who do not receive any. It is further estimated that around 43% of prisoners lose contact with their families during this time. HMPPS recognises the significant role that families can play in supporting an offender and wish to improve these outcomes by supporting families and significant others where possible. The helpline is one of these ways. Importantly, 26% of prisoners are from ethnically diverse communities. Representation from those communities and an understanding of their various cultural needs must be met. Scope of contract The Prisoner's Family Helpline will provide, but not be limited to: * Practical information and guidance on all aspects of the Criminal Justice System, including arrest, detention, and trial at court. * How to organise and cope with a prison visit. * Information on how a prison works. * Information on benefits and financial help, etc. * Emotional support. * How to cope with stress. * How to cope with disruption to life. * Help with parenting and relationship issues. * How to cope with imprisonment. * Good quality information to interested parties, including professionals such as teachers, social workers, healthcare workers etc. engaging with working with families and significant others of prisoners. * Refer, as appropriate, to services that meet the cultural needs of callers, such as Gypsy Roma Traveller communities.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Buyer may extend the Contract for a period of up to 12 months by giving not less than 3 months in writing to the Supplier prior to the Expiry Date. The Conditions of the Contract shall apply throughout any such extended period.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d1a1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004198-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

75 - Administration, defence and social security services


CPV Codes

72253000 - Helpdesk and support services

75231230 - Prison services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£495,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£495,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£659,428 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
mojcommercialreset@justice.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PRISON ADVICE & CARE TRUST (PACT

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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