Planning

Independent Advocacy

CORNWALL COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 Feb 2026 at 13:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cornwall Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for the "Independent Advocacy" project within the health and social work services industry category, specifically targeting services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The project aims to establish future commissioning approaches for Independent Advocacy, including an all-age model that encompasses Adults Advocacy, Children and Young People's Advocacy, and the Independent Visitor Service. Suppliers are encouraged to engage in the process by responding to a written Soft Market Test due by 16:00 on Wednesday 11 March 2026, accessible via the ProContract procurement portal. Furthermore, engagement events, including in-person and online workshops, are scheduled throughout March and April 2026 to gather supplier insights. The indicative start date for the contract is 31 December 2026, with final timelines to be confirmed after the approval of the Council’s Outline Business Case.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in health and social services, especially those proficient in advocacy services, to influence future service models and potentially participate in substantial contracts worth GBP 4,000,000. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) specially tailored to deliver advocacy and related social services are well-suited to engage in this consultation and subsequent bidding processes. Businesses with capability in forming partnerships or consortia are highly encouraged to contribute their expertise, as discussions will focus on collaborative delivery models. Overall, participating in this preliminary stage could position suppliers favourably for any future competitive tendering processes by providing valuable feedback to the Council and showcasing their capabilities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Advocacy

Notice Description

Cornwall Council is conducting preliminary market engagement to help shape the future commissioning of Independent Advocacy across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This engagement follows earlier activity undertaken in August 2025 relating to the Adults Advocacy Service and now expands the scope to explore the feasibility of an all-age Independent Advocacy model, including Children and Young People's Advocacy and the Independent Visitor Service. The Council is seeking views from providers on potential delivery models, including separate Adults and CYP arrangements, integrated all-age models, partnership or consortium approaches, and the role of statutory and non-statutory advocacy within future provision. Feedback will support the Council's Outline Business Case and inform subsequent specification development. Suppliers are invited to participate by reviewing the Soft Market Test documentation and submitting written responses via the ProContract procurement portal (Project DN774644) by 16:00 on Wednesday 11 March 2026. Further engagement events, including an in-person session and online workshops, will be advertised through the portal. Participation in this engagement will not prejudice suppliers in any future procurement process. This notice and the associated SMT do not constitute a call for competition, and the Council is not committing to any procurement or contracting approach at this stage. The contract start date shown in this PMEN is indicative only and required for system purposes. It supersedes any earlier dates referenced in previous market engagement notices. Final timelines will be confirmed following analysis of this Soft Market Test and approval of the Outline Business Case.

Planning Information

Cornwall Council is undertaking further preliminary market engagement to inform the future commissioning approach for Independent Advocacy across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This phase of engagement includes a written Soft Market Test (SMT) and a series of market engagement events. Suppliers are invited to review the SMT documentation, available via the ProContract procurement portal (Project DN774644), and submit written responses by 16:00 on Wednesday 11 March 2026. Written responses form a core part of this engagement process and will be used to understand market views on potential service models, collaborative approaches, lot structures and workforce considerations. In addition to written submissions, the Council will host an in‑person market engagement event during the week commencing 16 March 2026, followed by two to three online workshops during March and April 2026. These events will provide opportunities for suppliers to discuss key themes arising from the SMT, share insights on feasible delivery models and explore partnership or consortia approaches. Details of how to book onto these sessions will be published through the ProContract portal. Suppliers may participate in any or all parts of the engagement process. Participation is entirely voluntary and will not prejudice involvement in any future procurement. All information gathered through the SMT and events will be used solely to support the development of the Council’s Outline Business Case and to inform future commissioning decisions. This engagement is not a call for competition and does not commit the Council to any procurement procedure or contracting route.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0653f2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013428-2026
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
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
23 Sep 20268 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Dec 2026 - 30 Dec 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CORNWALL COUNCIL
Contact Name
Celia Penhaligon
Contact Email
celia.penhaligon@cornwall.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
TRURO
Postcode
TR1 3AY
Post Town
Truro
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK30 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Delivery Location
TLK3 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Local Authority
Cornwall
Electoral Ward
Truro Boscawen & Redannick
Westminster Constituency
Truro and Falmouth

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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