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All Age Advocacy Support Service

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

03 Jun 2026 at 07:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

11 May 2026 at 10:35

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is in the planning phase of procuring an "All Age Advocacy Support Service", focusing on delivering statutory and some non-statutory advocacy services across the county of Suffolk. This tender, classified under the health and social work services category, is geared towards serving eligible adults, children, and young people. The contract, valued at approximately £4,500,000, is intended to start on 1st April 2027 and run for three years, with a possible extension of up to two years. Due to local government reform, there may be adjustments required post-2028, affecting the service delivery's geographical scope. The council invites potential suppliers to participate in a market engagement event scheduled via Teams on 16th June 2026, with the deadline for expressing interest being 15th June 2026.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specializing in health and social work services, particularly those experienced in advocacy support. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are especially well-suited to compete, given the procurement process accommodates these entities through an open procedure with a dynamic purchasing system in place. Participants in this procurement process can leverage the opportunity to deliver essential services while establishing or strengthening their presence in the public sector, with an advantageous position for future tenders as the contract adapts over time due to regional administrative changes.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

All Age Advocacy Support Service

Notice Description

The service will deliver all Suffolk County Council's statutory advocacy for eligible adults, children & young people. Some non-statutory advocacy will be procured under the same contract for eligible adults, children & young people. Suffolk County Council's current contract for independent all-age advocacy ends on 31/03/2027. We are procuring a replacement service to start 01/04/2027. The contract will be for 3 years with the option to extend for up to 24 months, however the impact of Local Government Reform and the creation of 3 unitary authorities in Suffolk from 01/04/2028 may require the service to split into smaller geographical areas with potential impact on finance, activity and reporting. Total cost over 5 years is approx. PS4,500,000. Any VAT will be at the appropriate rate where chargeable, and we understand these services are exempt.

Planning Information

The aims of the market engagement are to: Understand the level of market interest in the proposed procurement. Identify potential suppliers. Provide a high-level overview of the project and its objectives. Gather market feedback on the initial draft scope of services and proposed delivery model. Interested parties are invited to attend a Teams event at 2pm on Tuesday 16th June 2026. Please contact felicity.tate@suffolk.gov.uk no later than 12.00 noon on 15th June 2026 to request a Teams invitation (providing email contacts for your attendees).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069574
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052106-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
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

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Jun 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Aug 20265 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
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SUFFOLK COUNTY 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
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH East (England), TLH1 East Anglia
Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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