Award

Empowering Families

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

24 Apr 2026 at 15:01

Tender

10 Feb 2026 at 11:02

Planning

29 Jan 2026 at 16:34

Summary of the contracting process

Southend-on-Sea City Council has completed the award stage for its "Empowering Families" procurement process, dated 24 April 2026. This initiative, designed to support vulnerable families in the Southend-on-Sea area, aligns with the public authority's commitment to improving social outcomes through community support. The contract, set for 1 June 2026 to 31 March 2028 with a potential extension until 31 March 2029, focuses on social work and related services, with a legal framework under UKPGA 2023/54. The open competition procurement method ensured inclusivity with detailed criteria, emphasizing technical and commercial aspects. The awarded contract, valued at approximately £153,076, was secured by VOLUNTEERING MATTERS, reflecting a successful bid from SMEs for this critical service in the UKH31 region.

The "Empowering Families" contract provides substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in social work services and community engagement. Companies with experience in delivering volunteer-based mentoring services stand to benefit from participating in similar tenders, enhancing their portfolio and expanding their networks within local government frameworks. Furthermore, SMEs involved in social services can leverage this project to demonstrate their capacity for positive community impact, fostering partnerships and elevating their market presence. The requirement for dedicated volunteer mentors presents a niche for organisations adept at training and developing personnel to engage meaningfully with vulnerable demographics. Ultimately, this initiative fosters skill development and resilience, crucial aspects for businesses looking to position themselves as leaders in social innovation.

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Notice Title

Empowering Families

Notice Description

Southend-on-Sea City Council are looking to award to a single supplier to deliver a volunteer mentor service for vulnerable families in the Southend-on-Sea City area. The contract duration is as follows: 1st June 2026 - 31st March 2028 (with option to extend to up to 31st March 2029). 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. The Service Provider will recruit, train and develop sufficient volunteers to provide Volunteer Mentors for a minimum of 50 vulnerable families across a 12-month period. The number of matched mentors and families may increase dependent on demand and changing needs. The expectation is that volunteer mentors will commit to at least one year of weekly engagement with the Service Provider. They will have at least one contact with a family in any given week of an average engagement, dependent on identified needs and the family's progress.

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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061269
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037727-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

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
£153,076 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Apr 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
4 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
23 Apr 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VOLUNTEERING MATTERS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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