Tender

Brokerage - Targeted Short Breaks for Children

CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 May 2026 at 07:44

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process initiated by Cheshire West and Chester Council invites tenders for the provision of a Brokerage Service targeting Short Breaks for Children, associated with health and social work services. This open competition aims to commission a single provider to facilitate access to inclusive community activities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within Cheshire West and Chester. The procurement stage is currently at the tender phase, with submissions due by 10:00 AM on 12th June 2026. The contract's estimated value is £384,000, and its scope is set to run from 1st April 2027 to 31st March 2030, with an option for renewal. The procurement is carried out under a light-touch regime, accommodating service providers in the UKD63 region.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) specialising in health and social work services. The successful provider will manage access to the Short Breaks Individual Payments service, engaging with families to tailor support and promote inclusive practices within community activities. Participating businesses will have the chance to collaborate closely with activity organisers to facilitate the involvement of children and young people with SEND, reducing barriers and supporting their inclusion and personal development. The emphasis on quality criteria outlined in the tender pack signals that adept firms focusing on inclusive education and social services should consider submitting competitive bids within the specified budget limits.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Brokerage - Targeted Short Breaks for Children

Notice Description

Brokerage Service to manage and oversee access to the Short Breaks Individual Payments service and participation into universal services Overview A single provider will be commissioned to deliver two complementary services to increase access, inclusion, choice, and flexibility for children and young people with SEND and their families to access activities in the community. A) Practical Support and Inclusion: will provide time limited, targeted support to enable children and young people with SEND to access, participate in, and sustain involvement in universal and mainstream community activities. The service will reduce barriers to participation and build confidence, skills, and independence through practical, emotional, and social support before, during, and after activities. Providers will also work with universal services to support reasonable adjustments and promote inclusive practice, including embedding the Department for Education's Creating Inclusive Provision toolkit. Target Group * Children and young people with SEND aged 0-18 * Resident in Cheshire West and Chester * Families requiring individualised support to access activities participation Service delivery Preparation and planning * Meet with the family ahead of the activity to understand individual needs, interests, triggers, and preferred support strategies * Liaise with activity providers to share relevant information and agree reasonable adjustments to support inclusion * Support the child or young person to understand what to expect from the activity, including routines, environments, and social expectations Activity delivery * Deliver time limited, targeted practical support to enable children and young people with SEND to access, participate in, and sustain involvement in universal and mainstream community activities. * Support children and young people before activities to prepare them for participation, including building understanding, confidence, and readiness. * Provide in activity support to reduce barriers to participation, promote inclusion, and enable meaningful engagement in a safe and supportive way. * Offer post activity support to reflect on experiences, reinforce learning, and build confidence for future participation. * Use practical, emotional, and social support strategies tailored to individual needs, interests, and abilities. * Promote the development of independence, confidence, and life skills, with support gradually reduced where appropriate. * Ensure support is person centred and outcomes focused, enabling children and young people to build sustainable participation in community activities. In-activity support * Provide hands-on support during activities to help the child or young person settle, engage, and participate alongside peers * Use strategies such as modelling, prompting, reassurance, and graded encouragement to support social interaction, communication, and emotional regulation * Act as a bridge between the child or young person and the activity provider to support positive engagement and inclusion * Liaise with activity providers to share relevant information and agree reasonable adjustments to support inclusion

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 1+1 years, contract performance reviews, assessment of whether contract is still required / needs changed and value for money assessment

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069aa9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045198-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
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
£384,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£384,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
12 Jun 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER 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
ELLESMERE PORT
Postcode
CH65 0BA
Post Town
Chester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Central & Grange
Westminster Constituency
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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