Planning

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) services

NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Dec 2025 at 14:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership - Procurement Services, hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust, is conducting a planning stage for the procurement of Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) services. This initiative aims to support multiple Welsh health boards, including Aneurin Bevan, Betsi Cadwaladr, Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf Morgannwg, Hywel Dda, Swansea Bay, and Powys University Health Boards. The contract, which will be governed under Welsh devolved regulations, is classified under health and social work services, pertinent to the UK region. The procurement process is currently in preliminary market engagement, with NHS Wales seeking feedback by 22 January 2026. The service is slated to begin on 1 January 2027, with potential contract renewals extending to 31 December 2030.

This tender represents a strategic opportunity for SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) that specialise in advocacy, health, and social services. Businesses capable of delivering high-value advocacy services to adults lacking mental capacity would be well-placed to compete. The engagement phase offers potential suppliers a chance to influence service specifications and build connections with multiple health boards and local authorities across Wales. Such collaboration could help firms expand their client base and innovate within the advocacy domain, contributing positively to business growth and service impact.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) services

Notice Description

NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership is undertaking this preliminary market engagement exercise to seek feedback from suppliers to support the future procurement of the Provision of an Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA). The IMCA service role is to make representations of that person's wishes, feelings, beliefs, and values, whilst bringing to the attention of the decision-maker all factors that are relevant to the decision. This will include supporting the person who lacks capacity; obtaining and evaluating information; as far as possible ascertaining the person's wishes and feelings, beliefs, and values; obtaining a further medical opinion, if necessary and ascertaining alternative courses of action. The service covers decisions and actions taken on behalf of adults, aged 16 years and over, who lack capacity to make the decision in question and is supported by Welsh Regulations and two statutory Codes of Practice. the following roles are anticipated to be within scope: IMCA Paid RPR Litigation Friend The contract is expected to support Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Swansea Bay University Health Board and Powys University Health Board working closely in close collaboration with all Local Authorities across Wales.

Planning Information

NWSSP is seeking feedback from suppliers, contractors and other interested parties to help the noted Health Boards to increase its market understanding, inform the development of the specification and support governance processes. This preliminary market engagement exercise is open to all interested parties. To participate in the preliminary market engagement exercise, please contact the names detailed below who will be able to provide you with the Preliminary Market Engagement Document. Emmanuel Haruna - emmanuel.haruna@wales.nhs.uk Amy Chilvers - Amy.chilvers@wales.nhs.uk Once you have read through the document and supporting appendices, please complete the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fcb7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/085898-2025
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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Dec 20256 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2027 6-12 months
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
NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST)
Contact Name
MRS AMY CHILVERS
Contact Email
amy.price2010@hotmail.co.uk
Contact Phone
+447920827806

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF14 3UZ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL Wales
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Gabalfa
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff North

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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