Award

Social Prescribing Link Worker - Rural Practice Network

NHS SOMERSET INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

01 Jun 2026 at 15:06

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board is in the process of awarding a contract for the provision of Social Prescribing Link Worker services within the Rural Practice Network. Classified under the health services industry category (CPV: 85100000), this procurement aims to enhance social, emotional, and practical wellbeing through non-clinical community activities. Located in Somerset (region: UKK23), the contract runs from 1st July 2026 to 30th June 2027 and has an estimated value of £76,797. This process reaches the award stage under the Provider Selection Regime Regulations 2023, exempting it from the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The involved procurement method is a limited process without prior publication. Interested providers must make any necessary representations by 12th June 2026, marking eight working days from the intention to award notice date, 1st June 2026.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses focused on health services to engage in delivering community-centric, non-clinical healthcare solutions. Organisations with expertise in holistic healthcare approaches, strong local network ties, and a focus on integrated care and service sustainability will find this contract particularly beneficial. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that excel in fostering innovation, enhancing access, and contributing to social value would be well-suited to compete under such criteria, where value, integration, and improving health inequalities play a pivotal role. As the contract is expected to extend existing services without much alteration, familiarity with local health and social care dynamics would be invaluable for potential bidders.

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Notice Title

Social Prescribing Link Worker - Rural Practice Network

Notice Description

Social prescribing is a key part of Universal Personalised Care, connecting people to non-clinical community activities and services that support their social, emotional, and practical wellbeing. Delivered by trained professionals, it offers a holistic, person-centred approach that empowers individuals, reduces reliance on clinical services, and strengthens local communities through meaningful engagement. Somerset Integrated Care Board are intending to award a contract to the existing provider following a Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process C. The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The services provided are the service specification are not changing considerably. This contract is for a period of 12 months from 01/07/26 to 30/06/27. This Notice has been published by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners

Lot Information

Lot 1

Somerset Integrated Care Board ("the ICB") is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Rural Practice Network in accordance with the following five criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023: SPLW teams have strong collaborative relationships across Somerset's health, care, and community sectors, with presence within local networks, helping to ensure that individuals receive coordinated, holistic support. These links are ensured via taking a proactive role in multi-agency meetings and neighbourhood collaborations at PCN-level, contributing valuable community insight and championing prevention-first approaches. These partnerships are helping reduce duplication and improve the consistency of support for people with complex social needs. They also reflect the Providers' ongoing commitment to integrated working, collaborative problem-solving, and elevating community voices within Somerset's health and care landscape. Our Social Prescriber providers in Somerset come together as a Community of Practice to ensure learning and connections between teams, and as part of the Somerset Social Prescribing Collaborative to develop our strategic direction for social prescribing and a joint standards framework and performance metrics. A direct award to Rural Practice Network would be appropriate and present the best value for the Commissioner in this circumstance. Direct Award C has been used for the award of this contract. The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The services provided are the service specification are not changing considerably The Commissioner made the decision of directly awarding the incumbent Provider in accordance with the following five criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023: * Quality and innovation * Value * Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability * Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice * Social value The approximate lifetime value of the contract is PS76,797 This contract is for a period of 12 months from 01/07/2026 to 30/06/2027. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and The Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 12th June 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice) this contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. This Notice has been published by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 12th June 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice). This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06aab5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051545-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£76,797 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Jun 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Dec 20255 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS SOMERSET INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
YEOVIL
Postcode
BA22 8HR
Post Town
Bath
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
Brympton
Westminster Constituency
Yeovil

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RURAL PRACTICE NETWORK

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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