Planning

Virtual School - Clinical Psychology Led Education Support

LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Apr 2026 at 10:06

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Liverpool City Council is initiating a procurement process for the "Virtual School - Clinical Psychology Led Education Support" project, falling under the services category specific to social work and related services. This initiative is in the planning stage with a noteworthy milestone being a Pre-Procurement Consultation Questionnaire due by 8th May 2026. The service will operate in the UK, particularly in the Liverpool region. The contract period runs from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2029, with the potential for renewal up to 31st August 2030. The project, valued at £334,400, aims to integrate psychology-informed practices into educational support for children in care and those with social workers, focusing on trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches.

This tender presents significant opportunities for business growth, especially for organisations specialising in educational and clinical psychology services capable of delivering training and professional learning. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) might find themselves particularly well-suited to compete, given the project's emphasis on accessible communication and practical guidance. A deep understanding of trauma, disrupted attachment, and lived care experiences, along with the ability to convey psychological insights in simple terms, will be crucial for successful bidders. The tender offers the chance to collaborate closely with Liverpool's Virtual School team, thereby extending business relationships and expertise within the public sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Virtual School - Clinical Psychology Led Education Support

Notice Description

Liverpool Virtual School is looking to commission a psychology-informed service to support workforce development and education practice. The service will help adults who work with children in care, previously looked-after children and children with a social worker. It must be educational, not clinical, and based on trauma-informed and attachment-aware approaches. The aim is to help school staff, carers, social workers and Virtual School staff develop a shared understanding of how children learn, behave and engage in school. This understanding should be supported by clear psychological insight. The provider must be able to communicate with deep professional knowledge, in simple and professional terms, how trauma, disrupted attachment and lived care experiences affect a child's wellbeing, learning and participation. They should support adults to understand children's needs, improve systems, and plan education effectively. Advice must be practical, timely and easy to apply in meetings, plans and reviews. Because education planning is a key part of this work, it is helpful if the provider understands the role and duties of the Virtual School. Training and professional learning will be a major part of the service. It should be offered to schools, social care, and the Virtual School team, and delivered both online and in person. Training should cover trauma-informed practice, relationships and regulation, attachment-aware teaching, de-escalation, co-regulation and practical strategies.

Planning Information

Pre-Procurement Consultation Questionnaire published via ProContract: https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=eff0deaf-313e-f111-813c-005056b64545&p=e0cc5631-4690-e511-80fb-000c29c9ba21

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068842
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036482-2026
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

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£334,400 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Apr 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 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
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
Post Town
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
TLD North West (England)
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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