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Mental Health Supported Accommodation Pathway

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

09 Jul 2026 at 15:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is currently in the planning stage of procuring services for the "Mental Health Supported Accommodation Pathway," aimed at improving support and independence for individuals under the Mental Health Act. This procurement process is part of the Council's efforts to address issues such as hospital step-down, preventable admissions, and out-of-area placements by providing holistic social care services. The Council, categorised as a sub-central government public authority, is located in Chelmsford, United Kingdom, focusing on the UKH3 region for service delivery. Interested parties must respond to the preliminary market engagement questionnaire by noon on 17th July 2026, which is part of the preliminary efforts in shaping the tender structure and gathering market insights.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the social services sector, specifically those specialising in mental health support. With the procurement process adopting a "lightTouch" regime and plans to structure the tender to encourage Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), it invites innovative providers who can contribute to improving community health outcomes. Successful businesses will be able to establish a long-term contract, with planned service delivery commencing from January 2028 and continuing until the end of 2032. This engagement offers an invaluable platform for providers to influence the development of service models and potentially secure expanded service contracts with Essex County Council.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Mental Health Supported Accommodation Pathway

Notice Description

Essex County Council ("the Council") is inviting prospective providers to participate in a market engagement exercise to inform the Council's commissioning considerations regarding the provision the Mental Health Supported Accommodation Pathway. Please find below a summary of the provision below. This accommodation is provided when it is necessary to meet people's assessed needs under the Mental Health Act and is provided as a way of helping people return to independence in the community. The Pathway is designed to support flow and capacity for step down from hospital, avoid preventable admissions, improve health and social care outcomes for individuals, provide holistic support and reduce and/or eliminate out of area placements. The model is underpinned by a move-on concept linked to community provision, including commissioned services ensuring people can continue to recover and thrive independently in mainstream housing. Please note that the Council reserves the right to refine the scope of this proposed procurement following the market engagement process. In addition, please note that this procurement remains subject to governance approval. Therefore, the Council will confirm the final scope of the procurement, including but not limited to, the contract duration and confirmed procurement timetable in the corresponding Tender Notice following the conclusion of the requisite governance process.

Planning Information

Essex County Council have created a questionnaire which can be accessed using the following link: https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/procurement/mental-health-supported-accommodation-pathway-mark/ Further information about the Mental Health Supported Accommodation Pathway is included in the questionnaire. Essex County Council are in the early stages of preliminary market engagement to help shape how future tenders for Mental Health Supported Accommodation are structured. The project group would like to reach out to the market to share examples of possible lot structure and gather providers insights into what could work and what could deter potential bidders from bidding. The deadline for responses is noon on 17th July 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ed
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064886-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Jul 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 Jul 20261 day to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2028 - 31 Dec 2032 Over 5 years
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
ESSEX 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
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

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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