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Direct Payment Support Service

Darlington Borough Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

30 Jul 2026 at 13:06

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

12 Feb 2026 at 10:40

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Darlington Borough Council is procuring a Direct Payment Support Service for children and adults eligible for social care funding. The service will help people understand and use Direct Payments, enabling them to exercise choice and control over their care and support. Individuals may use all or part of their Personal Budget to employ Personal Assistants or pay for other services of their choice. The client group includes older people, people with physical or learning disabilities, autism or mental health needs, people with fluctuating or complex needs, individuals moving from children’s to adult services, and carers, including parent carers, managing payments for someone else. This is a social care support service with financial administration and advice elements, delivered for Darlington Borough Council.

The procurement has reached tender: the Council invited offers through an open procedure, with bids submitted electronically through the Open system. Questions had to be submitted by 21 August 2026 at 12:00 BST, and bids were due by 7 September 2026 at 12:00 BST. The intended award decision date is 12 November 2026. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027, with the Council able to renew it for three further 12-month periods, potentially until 31 December 2030. The estimated value is £726,000 excluding VAT, or £871,200 including VAT. Quality accounts for 90% of the score, social value 7%, and the Supplier Incentive Programme 3%.

This opportunity suits organisations that can combine person-centred social care support with reliable advice and administration of Direct Payments. Relevant providers may include social care organisations, independent support services, charities, voluntary and community organisations, and specialist providers experienced in helping people employ Personal Assistants or purchase care and support. Suppliers should be able to work effectively with children, adults, older people, disabled people, people with autism or mental health needs, people with complex or changing circumstances, and unpaid or parent carers. The requirement is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises. Strong service quality is likely to be decisive, as it carries most of the evaluation weighting, alongside demonstrable social value and participation in the Supplier Incentive Programme.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Direct Payment Support Service

Notice Description

The Direct Payment Support Service will enable Individuals eligible for social care funding to exercise choice and control over their care and support arrangements. The Council is committed to ensuring that the option of a Direct Payment is explored and understood by everyone who is eligible to receive one. The Service will be available to an Individual who is eligible for social care services and chooses to take part or all of their Personal Budget as a Direct Payment to employ their own Personal Assistants or pay for other services of their choice. The Provider shall deliver the service to; Children and Adults eligible for Direct Payments, which may include, but not be limited to: -Older people. -People with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, or mental health needs. -People with fluctuating or complex needs. -Individuals transitioning from Children's to adult services. -Carers (including parent carers) managing Direct Payments on behalf of Individuals.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Council may extend the Contract for a period of 3 x 12 months by providing the Contractor with notice in writing.

Planning Information

The pre-market engagement include a survey to gather feedback from providers.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064ead
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072164-2026
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

66000000 - Financial and insurance services

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£726,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£726,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
7 Sep 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
2 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2027 6-12 months
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
Darlington Borough 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
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL1 5QT
Postcode Area
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC33 Darlington
Delivery Location
TLC13 Darlington
Local Authority
Darlington
Electoral Ward
Park East
Westminster Constituency
Darlington

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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