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Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

27 Oct 2026 at 17:03

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

23 Sep 2026 at 14:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council is procuring a children’s advocacy and independent visitors service for children and young people in its care. The contract has two service streams. Advocacy must be independent of the council to avoid perceived conflicts of interest, and must cover different needs up to age 18, including care leavers up to age 25. The independent visitors service is for looked-after children who want a visitor, with particular promotion to those who may be isolated, live away from their local home area or have limited or no family contact. The services are for children and young people in Bolton; advocacy staff and service users must be supported through an office based within the borough.

The council invited offers through an open procedure under the light-touch regime. The contract is planned to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with an option to extend by up to two further 12-month periods. Advocacy is due to mobilise from 1 April 2027; the independent visitors service is due to mobilise and start on 18 July 2027. The stated maximum contract value is £638,300.92 including VAT. Questions were due by 19 November 2026 at 16:00 GMT, and offers by 26 November 2026 at 16:00 GMT. Evaluation gives 80% of the score to quality and 20% to social value.

This opportunity suits providers with established children’s advocacy and independent visiting capability, including staff trained across advocacy practice and with strong legal literacy. The advocacy service must operate independently of the council. Providers must be able to comply with the National Standards for the Provision of Children’s and Young People’s Advocacy Services and the National Independent Visitor Standards. A Bolton-based office within the borough, with accessible links for staff and service users, is a participation requirement, as is the ability to mobilise the services to the required start arrangements. Providers should be equipped to support children with varied needs, including care leavers, and to reach looked-after children who may have limited family contact, live away from their home area or experience isolation. Quality and social value both contribute to the award decision.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service

Notice Description

The Borough Council of Bolton ("the Authority") is looking to procure a contract for the Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service. This Procurement is being conducted in accordance with the PA23 Act using the Open Procedure under Light Touch. The Services will be split into two service streams: Advocacy An advocacy service to be independent of the Authority to avoid perceived conflict of interest, with staff trained in all aspects of advocacy with high levels of legal literacy. Independent advocacy needs to account for all types of need up to 18 (25 care leavers). Independent Visitors Service A service for all children and young people who are looked after by the authority (LAC) who wish to have an Independent Visitor, promoted particularly for those who may be isolated, live outside of their local home area, or who have limited, or no, family contact. The contract period will be for three (3) years with the option to extend for up to an additional two (2) x twelve (12) month periods. It is intended for the contract to commence 1 April 2027. The first service stream, being the Advocacy Service, shall mobilise 1 April 2027. The second service stream, Independent Visitors Service, shall mobilise and commence during Quarter 2 on 18 July 2027. Both service streams will end on 31 March 2030.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is the option to extend the contract for up to two (2) x twelve (12) month periods.

Planning Information

Bolton Council (The Authority) is running a provider webinar for TC054 - Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service at 15:00-16:00 on 19 October 2026 via Microsoft Teams. Please email corporate.procurement@bolton.gov.uk if you are interested and they will provide the webinar link. ⁠

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0778ad
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101771-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
£638,300 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£638,300 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
26 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
26 Oct 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Bolton Metropolitan 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
BOLTON
Postcode
BL1 1RU
Postcode Area
Bolton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD36 Greater Manchester North West
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)
Local Authority
Bolton
Electoral Ward
Queens Park & Central
Westminster Constituency
Bolton North East

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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