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Short Breaks - DASH Playscheme and Mentoring For Independence

Darlington Borough Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

31 Jul 2026 at 10:48

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Darlington Borough Council commissioned a Short Breaks service combining the DASH Playscheme with Mentoring for Independence. This is a health and social work service for people who require support through planned short breaks, play-based activities and mentoring aimed at developing independence. The service is associated with Darlington and is delivered for the council’s local community. The requirement was treated as a light-touch public service. The selected provider, Darlington Association on Disability, is a voluntary, community and social enterprise organisation based in Darlington. Businesses with experience in disability support, children’s or young people’s playschemes, mentoring, independence-building programmes and community-based care will find the subject matter most relevant. The requirement sits within the broader health and social care market rather than general leisure, education or facilities management.

This procurement has been awarded and the contract is active. Darlington Borough Council used a direct award below the applicable threshold, without competition, under the light-touch regime. One service lot was completed and awarded to Darlington Association on Disability. The contract was signed on 1 February 2026 and runs from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2028. The council may extend it by 24 months and then by a further 12 months, giving a potential end date of 31 January 2031. The contract value is £451,023.85 excluding VAT, or £541,228.62 including VAT. The award covered health and social work services. The published outcome identifies the provider and confirms that the contract remains active.

For competitors, this award demonstrates local authority demand for an integrated short-breaks offer that combines structured play provision with mentoring for independence. A credible future provider would need to show practical experience supporting disabled people, designing safe and engaging playscheme activities, and delivering mentoring that produces greater confidence or independence. Strong community links in Darlington, an understanding of local support needs and the ability to work reliably with a council would be important. Relevant organisations may include disability charities, social enterprises, specialist care providers and community-interest organisations with suitably qualified staff, safeguarding arrangements and the capacity to provide recurring activities and one-to-one or small-group support. The successful supplier’s voluntary-sector profile also indicates the value of a trusted, inclusive and community-based delivery model.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Short Breaks - DASH Playscheme and Mentoring For Independence

Notice Description

The provision of the Short Breaks - DASH Playscheme and Mentoring For Independence service

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d87e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072580-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£451,023 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Darlington Borough 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
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL1 5QT
Postcode Area
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC33 Darlington
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Darlington
Electoral Ward
Park East
Westminster Constituency
Darlington

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Darlington Association on Disability

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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