Award

Secure Employment Preparation Services

MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Mar 2026 at 15:27

Summary of the contracting process

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust has initiated a procurement process for "Secure Employment Preparation Services" within the health services industry category. This contract seeks to provide employment preparation services to patients at Maghull Health Park, with coverage extending to Rowan View Medium Secure Hospital and Aspen Wood Low Secure Unit in Liverpool, UKD7 region. The procurement process is in the award stage, with the contract set to commence mobilisation on 6 April 2026 and run until 31 March 2027, valued at approximately £245,000. The selection process follows a limited procurement method under the Provider Selection Regime Regulations, specifically a Direct Award due to the satisfaction of current service provision by the existing provider, First Step Trust. Representations from providers must be submitted by 2 April 2026.

This procurement presents a valuable opportunity for businesses specialising in health services to engage in sustained collaboration with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. The focus on securing and preparing patients for employment at a healthcare facility is well-suited for firms experienced in delivering tailored employment services and health-related programmes. The contract, while awarded through direct selection, suggests potential future opportunities for companies capable of delivering high-quality services and innovative solutions in healthcare settings. Businesses aiming to expand their presence in the public healthcare sector, particularly within the North West of England, may find strategic growth opportunities by aligning themselves with the needs and objectives of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust in similar projects.

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Notice Title

Secure Employment Preparation Services

Notice Description

Provision of employment preparation services to secure patients at our Maghull Health Park site. Hospitals covered by the contract will include Rowan View Medium Secure Hospital (123 beds over 8 inpatient wards) and Aspen Wood Low Secure Unit (40 beds over 2 inpatient wards).

Lot Information

Lot 1

Mersey Care NHS FT intends to contract with First Step Trust for the provision of employment preparation services to secure patients at our Maghull Health Park site. Hospitals covered by the contract will include Rowan View Medium Secure Hospital (123 beds over 8 inpatient wards) and Aspen Wood Low Secure Unit (40 beds over 2 inpatient wards). For the new contract, MCFT requires the service to be mobilised from 06 April 2026 for a period of 12 months to 31 March 2027. The contract value is approximately PS245k. It is intended to award the contract in accordance with the Provider Selection Regime Regulations under Direct Award process C where there is an existing provider for the services and that existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract, and where additionally the services are not changing considerably. The Senior Leadership Team of Secure Care Division have made the decision for the award of this contract. No conflicts of interest have been identified, and this has been recorded in line with Trust policy.

Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 02 April 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0671a9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026374-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£245,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MERSEY CARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L34 1PJ
Post Town
Liverpool
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD71 East Merseyside
Delivery Location
TLD7 Merseyside

Local Authority
Knowsley
Electoral Ward
St Michaels
Westminster Constituency
Knowsley

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FIRST STEP TRUST

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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