Planning

Direct Payment Support Service

DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Feb 2026 at 10:40

Summary of the contracting process

Darlington Borough Council is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Direct Payment Support Service." This service aims to provide information, advice, and support to individuals in Darlington with unmet eligible needs under The Care Act 2014 who can benefit from Direct Payments. The industry category for this procurement is health and social work services, and it falls under the services procurement classification. The procurement process includes pre-market engagement, involving a survey to gather feedback from providers, with the milestone due by 27th February 2026. The council is planning to publish the future notice by 2nd April 2026. The contract is expected to begin on 1st September 2026, with a maximum contract period extending until 31st August 2030.

This tender presents a strong opportunity for businesses specialising in health and social work services, particularly those interested in providing direct support services and advice within local communities. It is especially suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) due to its light-touch procurement regime. Businesses that can effectively engage with the pre-market engagement process and demonstrate expertise in supporting clients to navigate direct payments and fulfil their support needs can establish significant growth potential by securing this contract. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to influence how services are delivered, fostering innovation and tailored support pathways within the Darlington region.

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Notice Title

Direct Payment Support Service

Notice Description

Darlington Borough Council wishes to appoint a single Contractor for the provision of a Direct Payment Support Service to meet the information, advice and support needs of individuals living within the Borough of Darlington who have been assessed to have unmet eligible needs under The Care Act 2014, or are transferring from commissioned support and identified needs can be met with a Direct Payment.

Planning Information

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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064ead
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012741-2026
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DARLINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
corporate.procurement@darlington.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL1 5QT
Post Town
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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