Planning

Independent Visitors Service

LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

30 Jan 2026 at 10:05

Summary of the contracting process

The London Borough of Hackney is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process to establish an Independent Visitors Service, scheduled to commence on 1st January 2027. This service targets the health and social work services industry, focused on supporting children who are looked after by the local authority. A market engagement event is set to be held virtually via Google Meets on 24th February 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am, with expressions of interest due by 17th February 2026 at 12pm. The procurement method is part of a light-touch regime, with an anticipated contract value of £350,000 to £420,000 over five years, and there is potential for renewal. This contract offers opportunities within the UK, specifically targeting Hackney's social care sector under statutory duties outlined by relevant UK legislation.

This tender presents valuable growth opportunities for organisations within the voluntary, community, and independent sectors, especially those experienced in delivering high-quality social care services for children. Businesses capable of embedding Systemic, Trauma-Informed and Anti-Racist Practice within their service delivery are particularly well-suited to bid for this contract. Additionally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) aligning with these aims are encouraged to participate. The procurement initiative seeks to foster collaboration, drive up quality, and improve outcomes, which is favourable for businesses aiming to expand their service offerings in the sector while contributing to the well-being and development of vulnerable children.

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Notice Title

Independent Visitors Service

Notice Description

As a provider of Social Care, the London Borough of Hackney is bound by the Children Act 1989 (Schedule 2, Paragraph 17) to appoint an Independent Visitor for a child who is being looked after by the Authority The aim of the Service is for an organisation to provide a stable and supportive adult relationship for a cohort of Children that are looked after and under 18 who are isolated from their families.

Planning Information

The Children and Families service at the London Borough of Hackney is preparing for the upcoming procurement of an Independent Visitor Service, with an anticipated contract start date of 1st January 2027 for a minimum period of 5 years. We invite organisations from the voluntary, community, and independent sectors to attend a market engagement event for providers who may be interested in submitting a tender for this service. About the Service We are seeking providers to work in partnership with the Local Authority to deliver a high-quality Independent Visitors service for children that are looked after. Successful providers must be committed to embedding Systemic, Trauma Informed and Anti Racist Practice within their service delivery, promoting psychological safety, inclusion, and collaboration with children and families. This engagement will inform the commissioning and procurement process, which is focused on driving up quality and improving outcomes in line with Hackney’s statutory duties under the Children Act 1989, Children and Families Act 2014, and Equality Act 2010. The Event will take place virtually over the Google Meets Platform on Tuesday 24th February 2026 between 10:00am and 11:00am How to Register Your Interest Interested organisations are invited to register their interest in attending the event: Via the portal by completing and uploading the short questionnaire before the deadline The closing date for expressions of interest is Tuesday 17th February at 12pm.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06129f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008322-2026
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
£350,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY
Contact Name
Claudette Lewis
Contact Email
claudette.lewis@hackney.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 2083563000

Buyer Location

Locality
HACKNEY
Postcode
E8 1DY
Post Town
East London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI41 Hackney and Newham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Hackney
Electoral Ward
Hackney Central
Westminster Constituency
Hackney South and Shoreditch

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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