Planning

Pre paid card system for use with children and young people who are looked after and care leavers

SOMERSET COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 May 2026 at 07:49

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Somerset Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for a pre paid card system aimed at children and young people who are looked after, as well as care leavers. This effort is classified under IT services, consulting, software development, Internet, and support, and has a regional focus in UKK23, United Kingdom. The council is engaging in a non-binding market engagement exercise which is scheduled to conclude on 25th May 2026 at 12:00 pm. The initiative aims to replace existing cash-based arrangements to enhance safeguarding, financial oversight, and operational efficiency. The pilot phase is projected to start on 1st September 2026 and end on 31st August 2027.

This market engagement offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in IT services and financial technology, particularly those capable of providing innovative pre paid card solutions for young people. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in systems that support budget management, fraud prevention, and GDPR compliance will find this a fitting opportunity. Companies with a track record in delivering similar services to governmental bodies will be well-positioned to contribute to the strategic aims of the council. By responding to this non-binding exercise, businesses can influence Somerset Council's procurement strategies and potentially win future contracts if the tender process proceeds. Businesses that can offer user-friendly, secure, and scalable solutions will stand out as ideal collaborators for the planned pilot phase.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Pre paid card system for use with children and young people who are looked after and care leavers

Notice Description

Somerset Council is undertaking soft market testing to inform the potential future procurement of a pre paid card system for use with children and young people who are looked after and care leavers. The Authority is exploring alternatives to current cash based arrangements, with the aim of improving safeguarding, financial oversight, operational efficiency, and outcomes for young people. A 12 month pilot is being considered to assess feasibility, usage, and value for money. This exercise is non binding, will not form part of any evaluation, and will be used solely to shape the Authority's commissioning and procurement approach. What is needed: The proposed solution would be used by: * Young people and care leavers (typically aged 16-25) * Social workers and leaving care professionals authorised to allocate and monitor funds The system would support: * One off and recurring payments * Day to day living expenses * Reduced reliance on cash payments

Planning Information

This request for expressions of interest is issued solely for the purpose of conducting market engagement and does not constitute any commitment by the Authority to undertake any procurement exercise in the future. This exercise includes no element of supplier evaluation. No parties will be prejudiced by any response or failure to respond to this by the deadline, there is no commitment of any kind involved on either side. This request does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services and the Authority is not bound by any proposal offered. If you are interested in this potential opportunity, then please express an interest by 25th May 2026 at 12:00pm by email to: stephen.barker@somerset.gov.uk and provide responses to the following questions: Core Functionality 1. Please describe your pre paid card solution, including: o Type of card provided o Where and how the card can be used (in store, online, ATM access, etc.) o Availability of contactless and chip and PIN functionality 2. Can cards be issued individually and replaced if lost or stolen? o Please describe the process and timescales. Controls and Safeguarding 1. What controls are available to the Authority, for example: o Spending category or merchant controls o Transaction limits o Temporary suspension or cancellation 2. How does your system support safeguarding and fraud prevention? 3. How does your solution ensure compliance with GDPR and UK data protection requirements? Practitioner Experience 1. Describe the system available to authorised staff, including: • How funds are allocated or topped up • Access to balances and transaction history • User permission controls 2. What training and support do you provide to practitioners? Young Person Experience 1. How do young people access and manage their account (e.g. app, online portal, statements)? 2. How does your solution support financial independence and confidence? 3. What accessibility features are available (e.g. simple language, support needs, digital inclusion)? Implementation and Pilot Delivery 1. What would a typical implementation look like for a local authority pilot? • Onboarding timescales • Card rollout process • Support arrangements Commercial Model (Indicative) 1. Please outline your pricing model 2. Onboarding timescales • Support arrangements • Training/roll out delivery Experience and Case Studies 1. Please provide brief examples of: • Similar services delivered • Outcomes achieved • Lessons learned from pilots or live implementations Thank you

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0691f4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041290-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
25 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2027 6-12 months
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
SOMERSET 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
TAUNTON
Postcode
TA1 4DY
Post Town
Taunton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK62 Somerset
Delivery Location
TLK23 Somerset CC
Local Authority
Somerset
Electoral Ward
Bishop's Hull & Taunton West
Westminster Constituency
Taunton and Wellington

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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