Planning

Suffolk Appropriate Adults Service

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

25 Feb 2026 at 16:09

Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is currently in the planning phase for a tender titled "Suffolk Appropriate Adults Service," targeting the education, training, and health and social work services sectors. Located in Ipswich, United Kingdom, the Council aims to commission a core service involving volunteer recruitment, coordination, and training to fulfil Appropriate Adults requirements under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The procurement process includes key milestones such as market engagement and questionnaire responses, closing at 5 pm on Monday, 16th March 2026, with follow-up discussions expected by Thursday, 2nd April 2026. The tender, which falls under the light-touch regime for service procurement, anticipates a start date on 1st October 2026, with the potential for renewal until 2030.

This tender presents significant opportunities for both small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) to play a pivotal role in enhancing community welfare through service provision. Businesses specialising in volunteer management, social care services, or training programs would be particularly suited to compete in this contract, as expertise in these areas aligns closely with the service requirements. The procurement process under Suffolk County Council's guidance encourages innovation and collaboration, aiming to work in partnership to control costs and adapt to emerging best practices, thereby offering ample room for business growth and strategic development.

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Notice Title

Suffolk Appropriate Adults Service

Notice Description

The Council seeks to retender its commissioned appropriate adults offer. The Council intends to commission a core service recruiting, co-ordinating, and training volunteers to provide Appropriate Adults as required for young people and vulnerable adults where entitled under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

Planning Information

Suffolk County Council is exploring provider capabilities in relation to delivering an Appropriate Adults service young people and adults as specified in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The Council intends for this service to be a primarily volunteer delivered offer where the provider delivers a core co-ordination, training, and recruitment offer. The Council expects to contract with such a provider who can demonstrate close partnership working, control of costs, and adaptable in relation to emerging lived-experience accounts and best practice. A questionnaire is provided for prospective providers to provide feedback on the commissioning priorities identified by the Council and identify the volume of interest in bidders for this contract. The Council may need to discuss responses in more detail with interested providers and therefore contract details are requested. It is expected any follow-up discussions will take place no later than Thursday 2nd April. Questionnaire link: https://forms.office.com/e/LDQSUVtXhZ -Questionnaire closes 5pm Monday 16th March 2026-

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065c7c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017061-2026
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

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£480,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2028 2-3 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
SUFFOLK COUNTY 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
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC

Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

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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