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Integrated Advocacy Services

Liverpool City Council

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

17 Sep 2026 at 10:42

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

22 May 2026 at 10:49

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
PlanningUpdate

22 May 2026 at 09:48

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

22 May 2026 at 09:43

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
PlanningUpdate

17 Apr 2026 at 12:50

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

17 Apr 2026 at 12:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Apr 2026 at 12:35

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Liverpool City Council plans to recommission an integrated advocacy service for Liverpool. The service will provide statutory and non-statutory advocacy, including Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA), guidance and counselling services (CPV 85312300), and flexible issue-based support for people who do not meet formal eligibility criteria. Its purpose is to help eligible individuals understand, retain and communicate information, express their views and wishes, safeguard their rights, and participate in decisions affecting their lives. The provider will deliver independent, proportionate, tailored and person-centred interventions, supporting inclusion, equity of access and improved wellbeing. Statutory duties arise under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Mental Health Act 1983. Delivery is across Liverpool.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Council has stated its intention to procure and has not yet invited tenders. It expects to use an above-threshold open procedure under the light-touch regime, with electronic submissions through ProContract (The Chest) in English. The Council expects the next notice by 30 September 2026; indicative dates are 27 October 2026 for enquiries to close, 4 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC for tender submissions and 3 March 2027 for the award decision. The planned contract is valued at £3,707,890 excluding VAT (£4,449,468 including VAT). It is one planned lot, running from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2031, with a possible extension of up to 12 months subject to performance measures. Market engagement took place on 27 April 2026.

The work will suit advocacy providers able to combine statutory and community-based support across a comprehensive service. Strong candidates will need practical knowledge of duties under the Care Act, Mental Capacity Act and Mental Health Act, including support for people who have substantial difficulty understanding, retaining or communicating information and lack an appropriate person to assist them. Relevant capability includes Independent Health Complaints Advocacy, issue-based advocacy, safeguarding rights, enabling participation in decision-making and delivering outcome-focused, independent interventions. Providers should be able to tailor support to individual circumstances while maintaining person-centred practice, equity of access and high standards of independence. The Council has indicated that the procurement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, so specialist VCSE and SME advocacy organisations should prepare for the future tender.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Integrated Advocacy Services

Notice Description

Liverpool City Council commissions an Integrated Advocacy Service to provide a comprehensive portfolio of statutory and non-statutory advocacy provision, including Independent Health Complaints Advocacy (IHCA). The service is required to support the Council in meeting its statutory obligations under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and Mental Health Act 1983, ensuring eligible individuals receive independent advocacy as mandated. In addition to statutory functions, the service will deliver flexible, non-statutory, issue-based advocacy to address unmet need, ensuring that individuals who do not meet formal eligibility criteria can still access proportionate, independent, and person-centred support. The service will enable individuals to express their views, wishes, and preferences, safeguard their rights, and actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Particular focus will be given to individuals who experience substantial difficulty in understanding, retaining, or communicating information, and who lack an appropriate person to support their involvement. The provider will ensure advocacy interventions are independent, tailored, and outcome-focused, promoting inclusion, equity of access, and improved wellbeing.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The extension is for a period of up to 12 months, subject to the provider meeting the performance measures of the contract.

Planning Information

Liverpool City Council will shortly be going to market to recommission our Integrated Advocacy Services for Liverpool. To register an interest in attending the event please complete the Microsoft form: https://forms.office.com/e/JWxAYmD201 We look forward to seeing as many organisations as possible there, who want to hear more about our plans for Advocacy services in Liverpool.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06853c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088080-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement 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

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,707,890 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,707,890 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Liverpool City 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
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 1DS
Postcode Area
Liverpool
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLD72 Liverpool
Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Waterfront South
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

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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