This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

30 Sep 2026 at 10:49

Summary of the contracting process

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council intends to commission a culturally competent workforce development programme for professionals supporting families affected by inherited genetic conditions associated with consanguinity. The programme will initially train midwives and health visitors, with a later phase for wider frontline family support staff, including family hub staff. It will combine hybrid face-to-face and virtual training, e-learning resources and evaluation. Training is to cover genetic risk, family history assessment, sensitive communication, informed consent, referral routes to genetic services, and ways to reduce stigma and misconceptions. The aim is to help professionals identify risk, discuss options with families and make suitable referrals, improving access to counselling, screening and support. The work is for delivery in Bolton. This is a health services programme (CPV 85140000).

The procurement is at the planning stage: the council has stated its intention to procure, but this process does not include an invitation to tender. The buyer expects to use the Provider Selection Regime’s most suitable provider process. The stated contract value is £15,000. The programme is planned to run for 12 to 18 months, with approximately two-hour training sessions. The council expects a future notice on 30 October 2026; this is an indicative publication date, not a bid deadline. The programme is structured in one lot. Its evaluation is intended to assess workforce knowledge, confidence and practice, as well as longer-term indicators including referrals to genetic services, clinical record quality, screening uptake and patient experience.

This planned work is likely to suit providers with experience developing and delivering workforce training in health or family support settings, particularly on inherited genetic conditions, consanguinity and culturally sensitive care. Suppliers should be able to engage midwives, health visitors and other frontline staff, and to translate complex health information into practical learning about family history, informed consent, sensitive conversations and referral pathways. The delivery model calls for both in-person and virtual training, supported by e-learning materials, so providers will need to develop resources as well as facilitate sessions. Evaluation capability will also matter: the programme is intended to measure changes in staff knowledge, confidence and practice, and track outcomes such as referrals, screening uptake and patient experience. The stated aims favour providers able to improve access to support and address stigma and misconceptions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Consanguinity workforce development programme

Notice Description

This project will deliver a culturally competent workforce development programme to equip frontline professionals, initially midwives and health visitors and later wider family support staff, with the knowledge and skills needed to support families affected by inherited genetic conditions associated with consanguinity. Through a programme of hybrid training sessions, e-learning resources and evaluation activities, the provider will improve awareness of genetic risk, enhance confidence in discussing sensitive issues with families, strengthen referral pathways to genetic and screening services, and promote informed decision-making, with the overall aim of improving access to support services, earlier identification of at-risk families and more equitable health outcomes.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The project will deliver a workforce development programme to improve frontline professionals' knowledge, confidence and cultural competence in supporting families affected by inherited genetic conditions associated with consanguinity. The programme aims to improve equity of access to genetic counselling, screening and support services by ensuring professionals are able to identify genetic risk factors, engage sensitively with families, and make appropriate referrals to specialist services. The training will initially target midwives and health visitors, with a second phase extending to other frontline professionals, including family hub staff. Delivery will consist of a structured programme of approximately two-hour training sessions delivered through a hybrid model of face-to-face and virtual learning over a 12 to 18 month period. Participants will also receive supporting e-learning materials and resources. The appointed provider will be required to develop and deliver training covering the relationship between consanguinity and inherited genetic conditions, family history assessment, culturally sensitive communication, referral pathways to genetic services, informed consent, and reducing stigma and misconceptions. The training should equip participants with practical skills to support informed decision-making and improve access to appropriate healthcare services. The programme will include an evaluation framework measuring improvements in workforce knowledge, confidence and practice, alongside longer-term indicators such as referral rates to genetic services, quality of clinical records, uptake of screening services and patient experience. Expected outcomes include earlier identification of at-risk families, improved professional confidence, enhanced understanding of screening and treatment options, and more culturally competent care.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077d3d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092225-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85140000 - Miscellaneous health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Sep 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Oct 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
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
TLD36 Greater Manchester North West

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

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.

Loading OCDS record...