Award

Provision of Social worker services for BFSAI

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

22 Apr 2026 at 15:03

Tender

09 Feb 2026 at 12:22

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence (MOD), a central government authority, has recently completed the contracting process for the provision of Social Worker Services for British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI). The procurement was conducted through an open procedure, focusing on securing services related to social work and welfare support in a military environment. The procurement process commenced with a tender phase, followed by an award on 22 April 2026, with a standstill period ending on 1 May 2026. The contract, awarded to Polaris Children's Services Ltd, is slated to begin on 1 July 2026, and will continue until 30 June 2029, with potential extensions until 2031. This procurement is primarily categorised under welfare services for children and young people and does not require statutory services on a 24/7 basis but must accommodate local circumstances.

This tender creates significant opportunities for organisations familiar with military environments and social work services. Businesses specialising in welfare services not delivered through residential institutions, particularly those capable of adapting to diverse needs across the community, would be well-suited to compete for similar contracts. The requirement stresses the importance of replicating statutory social work elements provided by UK local authorities, thus benefitting businesses experienced in delivering responsive and flexible welfare services. With a generous budget and renewal opportunities, participating entities can ensure long-term engagement and growth through tailored offerings that meet the unique demands of service personnel and their community. The awarded contract to Polaris Children's Services Ltd reflects the potential benefits for small to medium enterprises with relevant expertise in this sector.

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Notice Title

Provision of Social worker services for BFSAI

Notice Description

Provision of Social Worker Services for British Forces South Atlantic Islands. There is a requirement in MOD Policy to promote and maintain the welfare of Service Personnel and of the Service Community, the provision of Social Work Services (SWS) is a main contributor to the requirement. As far as possible the services should seek to replicate the elements of statutory social work provided by local authorities in the UK. Non-statutory and certain statutory SWS are not required on a 24/7 basis but must accommodate local circumstances and be flexible enough to meet changing customer and Service demands. Service welfare provision is primarily intended to manage the crictical connection between welfare and operational effectiveness. BFSAI social care and welfare support will be required in many forms, to a military dependency in a military environment differing from a a UK Local Authority environment. Issues unique to the military environment may arise, and familiarity with military systems, practices and procedures will be required.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: 2 x 1 year option periods.

Renewal: 2 x 1 year option periods.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064b0d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036770-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people

85312400 - Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£550,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£550,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£547,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Apr 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Apr 20261 months ago
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber

Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

POLARIS CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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