Planning

Soft Market Testing for the Provision of Adult and Children Advocacy

LONDON BOROUGH OF HOUNSLOW

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

11 Dec 2025 at 11:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The London Borough of Hounslow is initiating a procurement process for the "Soft Market Testing for the Provision of Adult and Children Advocacy" services. This process is in the planning stage as of December 2025 and focuses on the provision of advocacy services under various statutory roles, including Independent Mental Health Advocacy, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy, Care Act & Generic Advocacy, and NHS Complaints Advocacy. The procurement aims to assess market capabilities in these areas ahead of a formal tender process. The deadline for interested parties to engage in this market testing is 5 January 2026, and activities are set to cover regions within the UK starting in 2027. The industry category is primarily services provided to the community, indicating a significant public sector involvement with a projected contract value grossing £114.8 million, while specific tender submissions for the advocacy services total £957,000.

This procurement opportunity offers significant potential for business growth, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) with expertise in advocacy services. As the soft market testing is designed to ensure sufficient skill and competitive presence in the sector, businesses that specialise in statutory advocacy services and possess a strong understanding of relevant UK legislation will find this engagement advantageous. Participation in this phase positions businesses to compete effectively when the formal tender is released, potentially securing long-term contracts with the London Borough of Hounslow. The planned start date for the contract period extends from April 2027 to March 2030, providing a stable and sustained opportunity for successful bidders.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Soft Market Testing for the Provision of Adult and Children Advocacy

Notice Description

Soft market testing for Adults and Children Advocacy services. The Advocacy Hub Service will be commissioned to support the prevention focus and empower Hounslow residents to express their views, make informed decisions regarding their lives and assist them to achieve their rights and entitlements and adhere to our statutory duties. The Advocacy Service Hub will comprise the following statutory advocacy functions: Element A - Independent Mental Health Advocacy Service Element B - Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy and Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) Relevant Person Representative (RPR) Element C - Care Act & Generic Advocacy Element D - Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy To participate in this engagement, please access the documents at: https://procontract.due-north.com/ProjectManagement/ProjectDashboard?projectId=00c93e8e-3bd4-f011-813a-005056b64545

Planning Information

LBH is conducting a soft market for all age advocacy provision over the coming year, covering both children's and adult statutory requirements for advocacy as defined in Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2012, and Children's legislation. As part of this process we are asking the market to see whether there is appropriate skills and competition within the sector to be able to fulfil this objective. We would be grateful to hear from providers of statutory advocacy. To participate in this engagement, please access the documents at: https://procontract.due-north.com/ProjectManagement/ProjectDashboard?projectId=00c93e8e-3bd4-f011-813a-005056b64545

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f37c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081833-2025
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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

75200000 - Provision of services to the community

75300000 - Compulsory social security services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£957,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Dec 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Jan 20261 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 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
LONDON BOROUGH OF HOUNSLOW
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@hounslow.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
HOUNSLOW, LONDON
Postcode
TW3 3EB
Post Town
Twickenham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Hounslow
Electoral Ward
Hounslow West
Westminster Constituency
Feltham and Heston

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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