Planning

Children and Young People Independent Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Jan 2026 at 11:08

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Manchester City Council is in the planning stage of a tender process for the provision of Children and Young People Independent Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services. The aim is to ensure that the voices and experiences of children in care are acknowledged and integrated into their care plans, as well as enlisting trained volunteer independent visitors to provide support outside of formal care arrangements. The procurement process pertains to the services industry, classified under Health and Social Work Services (CPV: 85000000), and is set in Manchester, UK (UKD33). A key milestone is scheduled for 30 January 2026, by which date interested providers are invited to submit their capacity and capability outlines as part of a market engagement exercise.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, especially for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) with expertise in children's services and advocacy. There's a potential contract period of up to five years, from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2031, including extensions. Businesses that can innovate in service delivery and manage recruitment and training effectively will find this opportunity well-suited. The procurement seeks to explore market capabilities and innovative solutions, which could position participating businesses as key partners in transforming services for children and young people in Manchester.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Children and Young People Independent Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service

Notice Description

Advocacy Service - Provide independent support for Manchester Children and Young People who are cared for or Care Leavers to ensure that they are actively contributing to the development and implementation of their plan. Ensuring that their wishes, feelings and lived experience are taken into account when decisions are being taken about their lives. The objective of the service is to provide a Children's Rights and Advocacy Service, which safeguards eligible Children and Young People in order to protect them from abuse and poor practice and to ensure that all relevant children and young people have the confidence and ability to actively contribute and direct the development and implementation of their care plans. The Independent Visitors Service - provides trained volunteers who befriend and support children in care, offering them a stable and positive adult relationship outside of their care arrangements. The purpose of the Service is to manage the recruitment, training and matching of Volunteer Independent Visitors who can befriend, visit and assist Children and Young People who are cared for. Possibly 3 years contract with option to extend for 1+1

Planning Information

Manchester City Council in a bid to co-design the contract, invites existing and prospective providers of Children and Young People Advocacy and Independent Visitors service to submit a brief outlining their capacity and capability to deliver the specified provision. Submissions should be sent to: Bukola Aransiola, Senior Commissioning & Contracts Officer Bukola.Aransiola@manchester.gov.uk by 30th January 2026. In the brief, Manchester City Council seeks to understand Market capacity and capability Innovative delivery options Potential Risks, barriers and cost drivers.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0609a7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/004693-2026
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2029 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
MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M60 2LA
Post Town
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
TLD33 Manchester
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Piccadilly
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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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