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Staying Close

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

23 Jul 2026 at 14:38

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council has completed a procurement process titled "Staying Close" aimed at providing specialist intensive coaching services for children in care and care leavers aged 16-25 with complex needs. This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to deliver trauma-informed support designed to foster independence and resilience among vulnerable young people. The procurement, handled through a direct, below-threshold method without competition, saw its award notice published on 23rd July 2026, with services expected to be delivered from that date until 30th June 2027. The contract, valued at £445,493, involves the provision of welfare services across Essex, addressing the needs of young people facing placement instability and high-risk situations.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in welfare services, particularly those with a focus on trauma-informed care and support for youth. "THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY (SERVICES) LIMITED" has been named the supplier, suggesting that organisations with experience in youth engagement and empowerment, especially those classified as SMEs or VCSEs, are well-suited to pursue similar opportunities. Companies capable of offering relationship-based coaching interventions and engaging effectively with multi-agency stakeholders could find meaningful prospects for growth in this sector, as well as an opportunity to contribute positively to community welfare outcomes and stability for young people across Essex.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Staying Close

Notice Description

Essex County Council is procuring a specialist intensive coaching service to deliver the Staying Close programme for children in care and care leavers, primarily aged 16-25, who present with complex needs, placement instability and heightened risks. The service will provide relationship-based, trauma-informed coaching and practical support to vulnerable young people for up to 25 hours per week over a period of up to 18 months. The programme is designed to improve stability, safety, resilience and life outcomes by working closely with young people, their families, carers, social workers, placement providers and other relevant agencies. The appointed provider will recruit, manage and supervise skilled coaches who will deliver personalised, strengths-based interventions focused on reducing risk, improving emotional wellbeing, strengthening family and social relationships, supporting engagement in education, employment and training, and enabling successful transitions into adulthood. The service will also support young people to step down safely from higher-cost or higher-intensity care placements, return home where appropriate, or achieve greater stability within their existing placement arrangements. The provider will operate across Essex, delivering flexible support including evenings, weekends and out-of-hours arrangements, whilst maintaining strong multi-agency partnerships and robust safeguarding, performance monitoring and outcome measurement processes. The overall aim of the service is to achieve improved outcomes for vulnerable young people, reduce placement breakdowns, promote sustainable independence and resilience, and deliver a cost-effective alternative to more intensive care settings.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d25a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069887-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£445,493 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
23 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
22 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY (SERVICES

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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