Planning

Childrens Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service. Preliminary Market Engagement

SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Apr 2026 at 11:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Swindon Borough Council is currently at the planning stage for a tender concerning the provision of Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors services within the United Kingdom, specifically in the region of UKK14. This procurement process, initiated on 23 April 2026, entails preliminary market engagement where suppliers are invited to register their interest and submit feedback via the ProContract portal by the deadline of 15 May 2026. The procurement falls under the services category with a projected gross contract value of £690,000 and is structured to engage a single supplier to ensure high-quality support for children and young people, including those in or out of the borough. The contract period is expected to start on 1 April 2027 and continue until 31 March 2030, with potential extensions available until 2032. The procurement is above the threshold and follows a light touch regime, reflecting its special nature and focus on equal opportunities consultancy, guidance, and counselling services.

This tender presents robust opportunities for businesses that specialise in services for children, particularly those adept in children's advocacy and independent visitor roles. Such businesses can leverage their expertise to contribute to Swindon Borough Council's mission of enhancing children's rights, wellbeing, and participation. Companies capable of providing guidance, support, and emotional resilience to a diverse group of young individuals—such as those in care, care leavers, and disabled children—could stand to benefit significantly. This opportunity is well-suited for organisations that prioritise collaboration and strategic partnerships, as the successful supplier is expected to work closely with the council and partner agencies to deliver transformative outcomes for children and young people.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Childrens Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service. Preliminary Market Engagement

Notice Description

Swindon Borough Council invites you to contribute to preliminary market engagement in relation to Childrens Advocacy and Independent Visitor services and would welcome the views of suppliers on the questions set out in the questionnaire. The intention is to invite supplier feedback to help shape the final specification and commercial model to ensure the tender delivers the optimum outcomes for the Council. Swindon Borough Council is seeking to award a Single Supplier who will be responsible for supporting children and young people, ensuring that those living in Swindon (including children placed out of borough) have access to independent, rights-based support through both Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitor services. Children's Advocacy is a rights-based service that places the voice, wishes and feelings of the child or young person at the centre of decision-making. It provides independent support to help children understand their rights, navigate complex statutory and professional systems, and communicate what matters to them in a safe and supported way. This will include supporting children in care, care leavers, children involved in child protection or care proceedings, disabled children, and those who self-refer for help. Independent Visitor services provide Children We Care For with the opportunity to build a consistent, trusted relationship with an independent adult who is not involved in their care planning or statutory processes. Independent Visitors offer stability, positive experiences, and emotional support, helping to reduce isolation and promote wellbeing and resilience. The successful supplier will work collaboratively with Swindon Borough Council and partner agencies, while maintaining the independence required of both Advocacy and Independent Visitor services, to ensure children's rights, wellbeing, and participation remain central at all times.

Planning Information

Engagement Process Description DN814029 To participate in the Preliminary Market Engagement Suppliers will need to Register as a Supplier with ProContract, www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk, then Register an Interest before obtaining access to the Preliminary Market Engagement documents. Responses to the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire are required to be submitted no later than 15th May 2026, 17:00 hrs UK Local time via ProContract tender portal - https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068987
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037047-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

98113000 - Services furnished by specialist organisations

98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£575,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Apr 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 May 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 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
SWINDON BOROUGH 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
SWINDON
Postcode
SN1 2JH
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLK14 Swindon
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Eastcott
Westminster Constituency
Swindon South

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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