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Soft Market Testing Exercise- Packages of Support for Children

Wirral Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

22 Oct 2026 at 15:10

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Wirral Council is planning to procure support packages for children receiving Children’s Social Care support. The services are expected to focus mainly on community-based short breaks and family support. This is health and social care work, delivered in the Wirral area. The process is at the planning stage and is intended to test the market before the council develops its procurement; it is not an invitation to tender.

The council is carrying out preliminary market engagement through a soft market-testing exercise, with an SMT questionnaire to be issued through The Chest. Responses are expected by 12 noon on 12 November 2026. The planned contract period is 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031. The procurement is expected to be a services contract under the light-touch regime. The information sets out one planned package, but no procedure, estimated contract value, eligibility requirements or evaluation criteria are stated. Suppliers should treat the dates and scope as planning expectations rather than a bid deadline or settled tender terms.

This work is likely to suit providers experienced in delivering community-based short breaks and family support for children and families receiving social care support. Organisations with the ability to deliver support in community settings across the Wirral, and to meet the needs of children and families as part of Children’s Social Care, are the most directly relevant. The market-testing stage gives potential providers a chance to inform the council’s thinking about how these support packages could be designed and delivered. It may be relevant to established children’s social care providers, family-support organisations and voluntary or community providers with suitable delivery experience. No particular accreditation, staffing qualification or minimum capacity is described at this planning stage, so suppliers should assess their relevant service experience and delivery model as the plans develop.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Soft Market Testing Exercise- Packages of Support for Children

Notice Description

These packages will likely primarily deliver community-based short breaks and family support package for those receiving Children's Social Care support.

Planning Information

SMT questionnaire to be issued via the Chest portal, closing date for responses is 12 Noon on Thursday 12th November 2026 https://procontract.due-north.com/register Title- Soft Market Testing Exercise- Packages of Support for Children Reference- DN833684 If you experience any technical difficulties registering or using The Chest, please contact support: support@proactisservicedesk.com Supplier Support | Proactis Telephone: 0330 005 0352

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078e19
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100079-2026
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
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 May 2027 - 1 May 2031 4-5 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
Wirral 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
WALLASEY
Postcode
CH44 8ED
Postcode Area
Chester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD74 Wirral
Delivery Location
TLD74 Wirral
Local Authority
Wirral
Electoral Ward
Seacombe
Westminster Constituency
Wallasey

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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