Tender

Kent Carers Support Service (Lot 1 - East Kent)

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

05 Jan 2026 at 16:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council has launched a tender for the Kent Carers Support Service in East Kent, focusing on providing information, advice, practical assistance, and short breaks for unpaid carers. The procurement is in the tender stage, with an active status, and falls under the social work and related services industry category. Located in Maidstone, United Kingdom, the procurement process is deemed a 'light touch' contract, utilising a competitive flexible procedure that includes an accelerated timeline. Interested parties should note the enquiry period deadline on 16th January 2026, with final tender submissions due by 30th January 2026, followed by award decisions concluding by 30th April 2026.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses, particularly those in social services, health, and care sectors capable of delivering comprehensive support to carers. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited to compete in this procurement. Successful bidders have the chance to access a substantial budget, with the potential for contract renewals, extending up to four more years beyond the original contract period ending in 2029. The procurement encourages a coordinated approach between the lead providers for East Kent and West Kent, offering a platform for collaborative business partnerships.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Kent Carers Support Service (Lot 1 - East Kent)

Notice Description

Background to the Re-Procurement of Lot 1 - East Kent Carers Support Service: Kent County Council previously undertook a procurement process for the Kent Carers Support Service under a two-lot structure (Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04fe04): Lot 1 - East Kent (Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Thanet, Folkestone and Hythe.) Lot 2 - West Kent (Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells and Swale.) Following that process, Lot 2 was successfully awarded and is ready for implementation, while Lot 1 (East Kent) was not awarded. This new procurement exercise is focused solely on Lot 1 - East Kent, with the aim of appointing a provider to deliver a comprehensive Carers Support Service in this area. The service will ensure unpaid carers have access to information, advice, practical assistance and short breaks to maintain their health and wellbeing. Important Note: Both Lot 1 and Lot 2 will become operational at the same time under the new contractual arrangements, ensuring consistency and alignment across Kent. Scope: Kent County Council are seeking to re-procure a Kent Carers Support Service which is aimed at supporting unpaid carers within the county. This new service will replace two current services; The Carers Community Navigation Service and Carers Short Breaks service. Key Areas of Service Delivery: Building from the Kent Adult Carers Strategy the following key areas of service delivery have been identified for the Kent Carers Support Service: i) Identifying and Recognising Carers, including Seldom-Heard Carers ii) Empowering Carers: information, advice and training in ways that they can understand iii) Prevention and Wellbeing especially for lifestyle risk factors, mental health and information and advice iv) Support for Young Carers' Transition to Adulthood v) Carers Assessment vi) Carers Breaks vii) Emergency Breaks viii) Carers Personal Budgets The full requirement will be available within the Specification, which will be made available when the Tender opportunity goes live. The Service will be delivered by a lead provider for East Kent and a Lead provider for West Kent. The two lead providers will need to work in partnership to ensure there is a seamless service that is equitable across Kent. There will be one Lot for each geographical area and the same service provider cannot deliver both Lots. The estimated value is the maximum available budget for Lot 1. Please read through the Invitation To Tender (ITT) Letter and associated documentation for all information relating to this procurement. Any quantities, dates or values shown within this notice, and any relevant documentation are estimated, and the Council gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any such quantities, dates and values. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Maidstone:-Social-work-and-related-services./JH63V38M3M To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/JH63V38M3M

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Potential extension of 2 x up to 24 months is available.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ff96
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000434-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£23,522,800 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£23,522,800 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
30 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
nathan sills
Contact Email
cpd-peopleteam@kent.gov.uk
Contact Phone
03000413728

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Post Town
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

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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