Tender

Empowering Families (Family Mentor Service)

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

10 Feb 2026 at 11:02

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

29 Jan 2026 at 16:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Southend-on-Sea City Council has initiated a procurement process for the "Empowering Families (Family Mentor Service)" aimed at supporting vulnerable families in the Southend-on-Sea area. The open tender process is in the active procurement stage and is classified under social work and related services. The tender invites organisations to provide community volunteer-based mentoring services to improve family wellbeing, resilience, and support affected children and young people. Important dates include the tender submission deadline by 3rd March 2026 and the enquiry period ending on 24th February 2026. The estimated contract value is £200,000 GBP, with a contract period starting on 1st June 2026, possibly extending until 31st March 2029.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in social services, particularly those experienced with family support and community engagement. Given its focus on a volunteer-based mentor service, organisations with a strong volunteer network or those experienced in community-driven approaches are well-suited to bid for this opportunity. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, ensuring a 70% focus on quality responses relating to social value, providing room for innovation in service delivery. The tender provides a platform for organisations to contribute meaningfully to community empowerment while expanding their service portfolio in a strategic partnership with local government.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Empowering Families (Family Mentor Service)

Notice Description

Southend-on-Sea City Council are looking to procure the services of a suitable organisation to deliver a volunteer mentor service for vulnerable families in the Southend-on-Sea City area. The provider will deliver Empowering Families Service using community volunteers to mentor vulnerable families, as part of a whole-family approach to facilitate change, improve wellbeing, build resilience and empower families. The service will work with families identified by children's services, most of the families will have children who are known to children's social care either as a Child in Need or with a Child Protection Plan. The community volunteer mentors will offer focused interventions to vulnerable children, young people and their families to contribute to improved health and wellbeing, education, employment, training, housing and finance outcomes. Developing their emotional, educational, and social skill to build resilience and be empowered. Mentors will offer guidance and support to identified families they are matched with to develop skills and confidence to improve their circumstances.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: One (1) twelve month extension following the initial term.

Planning Information

Please contact strategiccommissioning@southend.gov.uk should you wish to express an interest in this tender opportunity.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061269
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011729-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, 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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Feb 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
4 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 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
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA 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
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA
Postcode
SS2 6FA
Post Town
Southend-on-Sea
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH31 Southend-on-Sea
Delivery Location
TLH31 Southend-on-Sea
Local Authority
Southend-on-Sea
Electoral Ward
Victoria
Westminster Constituency
Southend East and Rochford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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