Planning

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Assessment Service

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Nov 2025 at 13:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is seeking to engage with potential suppliers regarding the provision of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Assessment Service, focusing on individuals in hospitals, care homes, or nursing homes. This planning stage involves an early market engagement survey aimed at gathering insights into supplier preferences and considerations for various payment models and operational challenges. The engagement is scheduled to conclude by 30th December 2025. The services fall under the Health and Social Work Services industry category, and the project is expected to commence in the East of England region (UKH3), specifically in Chelmsford at County Hall, Market Road.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses specializing in health and social care services, particularly those with experience in conducting assessments under restrictive conditions. Companies that can offer scalable solutions and adaptable payment models for delivering these assessments will be well-positioned to benefit. The contract, set to begin on 1st May 2026, spans a two-year period with potential for renewal, creating a stable opportunity for business growth in the health services sector. Engaging with this market survey may provide valuable insights to better prepare proposals tailored to Essex County Council's future procurement strategies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Assessment Service

Notice Description

The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) provide a legal framework for the deprivation of liberty for people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions about their accommodation and care arrangements themselves. They apply to people who are in hospital or residential/nursing care (the managing authority) and who are subject to restrictions and restraints in their lives, for example, not being free to leave or requiring continual supervision. Local Authorities are required to arrange an assessment of an individual's circumstances to determine whether the accommodation the care provided is in their best interests to protect them from harm, whether it is necessary and proportionate and to determine if there is a less restrictive alternative. The requirement of this service is for the provision of assessments to establish whether a person in hospital, care home or nursing home requires Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisation. Assessors will be required to visit the relevant person requiring assessment in their care setting, which may be a hospital ward, care home or nursing home, in order to conduct a face-to-face assessment.

Planning Information

Essex County Council would like to invite interested suppliers to partake in an early market engagement survey regarding the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Assessment Service. We aim to understand: -Supplier preferences for different payment models -Practical considerations, risks, and benefits with each model -Indicative pricing approaches under each model -Mobilisation considerations -Service resource and capacity considerations Please copy the link into your browser to take the survey. https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/procurement/deprivation-of-liberty-safeguards-dols-assessment This is not a procurement process and does not constitute a commitment to award any contract. The information collected will help inform our future procurement strategy.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05eb19
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078105-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Nov 20256 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Dec 20254 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Jon Rockstad
Contact Email
jon.rockstad@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

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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