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Student Counselling Services

University of Ulster

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

03 Mar 2026 at 15:08

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

06 Jan 2026 at 11:08

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

22 Dec 2025 at 15:43

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Ulster has been involved in public procurement processes focused on enhancing student counselling services, with contracts awarded to provide a comprehensive welfare service. Located in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, the University has completed its procurement stage for these tenders, leveraging direct award methods under Northern Irish devolved regulations. The most recent contract, dated 3 March 2026, has been awarded to Carecall (NI) Limited for services worth £241,770, set to run from January to December 2026. The industry category for these contracts falls under community, social and personal services, providing essential helpline and face-to-face support to students across their campuses. This initiative, aligning with GPA guidelines, addresses urgent needs and aims for sustainable service delivery, anticipating collaborative procurement exercises for future expanded services. The contracting process ensures compliance with the legal framework outlined by UK legislation 2023/54.

These tenders create significant opportunities for businesses specialising in counselling and welfare services designed to support educational institutions. Companies adept in 24-hour helpline operations, crisis intervention, and face-to-face counselling with strong governance and GDPR capabilities are well-suited to compete for similar contracts. With consistent demand across university campuses, service providers can leverage these contracts to expand their service footprint, collaborating with academic institutions to enhance student wellbeing. The focus on personalised student services and crisis management allows businesses to innovate and refine their service delivery, fostering growth while meeting key performance indicators set by the university. Given the scale and strategic importance of these services, enterprises with large operational capacities and experience in service marketing and data reporting are positioned to benefit. The University of Ulster’s approach underscores the value of aligning employee and student welfare services, paving the way for broader procurement partnerships in the future.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Student Counselling Services

Notice Description

1. A 24-hour 365 day per year staffed telephone helpline for student self-referrals, or receipt of direct referrals from Student Wellbeing staff. 2. Face-to-face counselling for Ulster University students (*preferred mode of delivery), with counselling presence on each campus. 3. Text system for students to cancel or confirm planned attendance at scheduled appointments via text. 4. Post crisis intervention/Group counselling for students. 5. Service marketing materials. 6. Data and outcome/clinical outcomes reporting. 7. Risk management and relevant interventions to increase safety (as required) 8. Experience, governance, GDPR and data retention. 9. Contract management and review. 10. Sustainability.

Procurement Information

This DAC is being requested to ensure service coverage and allow Student Wellbeing and Employee Wellbeing teams to align their contract timeframes in consideration of a future joint bid for counselling services for students and staff. There will be a new Procurement exercise in collaboration with the Employee Wellbeing team to align our offer and seek best quality service and value for the University.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fbd6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019062-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£248,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£241,770 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Mar 20267 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 Jan 20269 months ago
Contract Period
19 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Ulster
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COLERAINE
Postcode
BT52 1SA
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN0C Causeway Coast and Glens
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Causeway Coast and Glens
Electoral Ward
University
Westminster Constituency
East Londonderry

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Lena By Inspire

CARECALL (NI) LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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