Tender

Student out of Hours Wellbeing Support

UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

13 Jan 2026 at 12:32

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Worcester, acting as the buying organisation, is initiating a tender process for "Student out of Hours Wellbeing Support." This service falls under the industry category of guidance and counselling services and is located at Henwick Grove, Worcester, United Kingdom. The procurement is currently at the tender stage, with an open competition and submissions allowed electronically. Key deadlines include the tender period ending on 4th February 2026. The contract period is slated to commence on 10th March 2026 and continue until 9th March 2029, with a possible extension of up to two additional years. The service aims to provide vital student support during non-office hours, including weekends and weekday evenings.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in specialised counselling services, particularly those with expertise in crisis management and safeguarding practices. Suitable businesses might include those with qualified counsellors meeting BACP standards or equivalent, offering immediate response capabilities via telephone and text, and proficient in multiple languages such as Hindi, Nigerian, and Nepalese. The opportunity demands providers capable of ensuring service exclusivity to the university's students, which can be a unique selling point for businesses capable of integration within a higher education context. The quality and pricing of the service offered are integral to the award criteria, providing a dynamic platform for service-based businesses to expand their presence within the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Student out of Hours Wellbeing Support

Notice Description

The service is required to provide a point of contact for students who need support when the University's daytime support service is not available. This will include providing a crisis service. This will be required on weekends and weekdays from 4.30pm until 8.30am the following day. The service must be free for students to access and use. It must provide a quick response within one minute and students must have immediate access to a counsellor and not be directed through a triage system. Counsellors must be able to provide support by telephone and text. You should provide an interpretation service or language assistance for students who are not native English speakers. Hindi, Nigerian and Nepalese are our most commonly spoken foreign languages. Counsellors should be BACP qualified or equivalent to level 4 or above with supervision in line with BACP recommendations. You should have safeguarding procedures in place for situations involving children and vulnerable adults and protocols in place to handle high risk students including risk assessments with escalation procedures for crisis situations. The service must validate each service user to ensure only eligible university students utilise the service. Supplier responses should include details of how that will be achieved along with any salient options.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060497
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002631-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312320 - Counselling services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
4 Feb 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
10 Mar 2026 - 9 Mar 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
UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER
Contact Name
kathy Preece
Contact Email
uwtenders@worc.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WORCESTER
Postcode
WR2 6AJ
Post Town
Worcester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG12 Worcestershire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Worcester
Electoral Ward
St Clement
Westminster Constituency
Worcester

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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