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Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Guardian Services - CHS

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

26 Aug 2026 at 11:52

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

01 Jun 2026 at 16:06

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

01 Jun 2026 at 15:51

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

18 May 2026 at 11:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

18 May 2026 at 11:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust is procuring Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Guardian Services, with the South West London Procurement Partnership acting on its behalf. The requirement is for an independent, confidential and impartial speaking-up service for Trust staff. The provider must give staff safe, person-centred support to raise concerns without fear of detriment, including advice, advocacy, triage and management of concerns in line with NHS FTSU guidance. It must provide reporting, insight and thematic analysis to the Trust, and support organisational learning, improvement and cultural development. The service also covers compliance with NHS England FTSU policy, workforce safety and whistleblowing standards, and relevant legislation including the Public Interest Disclosure Act. The work is delivered for Croydon Health Services NHS Trust in Croydon, London.

This procurement has been awarded following a completed open competitive flexible procedure. Three bids reached the final stage, including three from SMEs. The Guardian Service Ltd was awarded the contract on 26 August 2026 at £516,968 excluding VAT, or £620,361.60 including VAT. The contract runs from 18 September 2026 to 17 September 2029, with an option for two additional one-year extensions, giving a maximum possible end date of 17 September 2031. There is one lot, marked complete and suitable for SMEs and VCSEs. Bids were evaluated using the Most Advantageous Tender approach: quality 60%, social value 10% and price 30%. The procurement's estimated value was £492,909 excluding VAT, or £591,490.80 including VAT.

This award demonstrates a defined NHS requirement for specialist Freedom to Speak Up Guardian provision rather than a general employee-relations helpline. Credible future suppliers will need appropriately trained and experienced Guardians who can provide confidential, independent, impartial and person-centred support to healthcare staff. They will need robust processes for receiving, triaging and managing concerns, protecting staff from detriment, and providing advice, support and advocacy. Evidence of applying NHS Freedom to Speak Up policy, workforce safety and whistleblowing standards, and relevant legislation will be important. Competitors should also be able to produce clear reporting, insight and thematic analysis for senior NHS stakeholders, and show how their service supports organisational learning, cultural development and continuous improvement. The requirement was suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, indicating scope for focused specialist providers.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Guardian Services - CHS

Notice Description

South West London Procurement Partnership (SWLPP) on behalf of Croydon Health Services NHS Trust (The Contracting Authority) is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Service Provider to deliver Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Guardian Services. This service will include access to an appropriately trained and experienced named Guardian who can offer confidential, independent, and person-centred support to staff. The appointed provider will: - Deliver an independent, confidential, and impartial speaking up service - Support staff to raise concerns safely and without fear of detriment - Provide advice, support, and advocacy to staff raising concerns - Manage and triage concerns in line with NHS FTSU guidance - Provide reporting, insights, and thematic analysis to the Trust - Support organisational learning, improvement, and cultural development - Ensure compliance with: * NHS England FTSU policy * Workforce safety and whistleblowing standards * Relevant legislation (e.g. Public Interest Disclosure Act)

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Option to extend for two (2) additional one-year periods

Planning Information

Interested suppliers are invited to submit a brief expression of interest and capability overview to HRPSProcurement@stgeorges.nhs.uk by the stated deadline. Responses should include a concise overview of the organisation, relevant experience and capability, indicative approach to service delivery, and any additional information the supplier considers relevant to inform the Authority's understanding of the market and potential delivery options. Responses will be used for market understanding only and will not form part of any future evaluation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069acc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081194-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£492,909 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£492,909 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£516,968 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
26 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
26 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
18 Sep 2026 - 17 Sep 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2029-06-01

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CROYDON
Postcode
CR7 7YE
Postcode Area
Croydon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI6 Outer London - South
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI62 Croydon
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Croydon
Electoral Ward
West Thornton
Westminster Constituency
Croydon West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

The Guardian Service

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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