---
title: "UOS-S00974 - Student Assistance Program"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-a1cf69fb-0ce0-4564-a47d-e606006cb569"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a1cf69fb-0ce0-4564-a47d-e606006cb569"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a1cf69fb-0ce0-4564-a47d-e606006cb569.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a1cf69fb-0ce0-4564-a47d-e606006cb569.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK"
published: "2026-03-02"
---

# UOS-S00974 - Student Assistance Program

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-a1cf69fb-0ce0-4564-a47d-e606006cb569

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## Summary

The University of Suffolk is awarding a contract under its Student Assistance Program to Health Assured, a large-scale supplier, for the provision of counselling services. The services will be delivered to students at the Ipswich campus, offering support to a diverse student body spanning international, undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship, and PhD students. This procurement is classified under the counselling services category and is being conducted via a direct procurement method, specifically through a single tender action below the threshold. The contract period is set to commence on 1 January 2026 and will last until 31 December 2028, adhering to the university’s commitment to ensuring continuous mental health support without service gaps. The tender process concluded on 24 November 2025, with an award active date of 9 December 2025.

This contract presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in mental health support and counselling services, particularly those capable of catering to extensive and varied student needs. As the procurement method favours direct engagement, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate where applicable, although this specific contract was awarded to Health Assured. Organisations that can offer flexible services and scalable solutions to accommodate students living both on and off campus, including those in placement settings, would be well-suited to engage in similar procurement opportunities. The focus on student wellbeing aligns with national priorities and indicates an ongoing demand for skilled providers in the sector, highlighting areas for potential business growth in the East of England.

## Notice

For the purpose of this tender, we require the supplier to provide services to students at our Ipswich campus (approx. 3500 students) which include international, undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship, and PhD students, spread across full-time and part-time courses. Students live both on and off campus and represent a truly diverse community. Many students commute to campus from within the county, neighbouring counties, and London. Our health provision also means that students spend a proportion of their course in placement settings. At Suffolk, in line with the national picture, we have seen a significant growth in the demand for student mental health services. Nearly 1 in 4 young people will experience suicidal feelings at least once in their lives. 1 in 20 will try and take their own life. We are committed to the prevention of suicide, a safe campus and our work is aligned to Student Minds University Mental Health Charter principles. Our aim is to make mental health and wellbeing a topic that every student feels comfortable talking about. We are currently under contract for this service. However, the contract term will be ending on 31 December 2025. We are conducting this tender process in preparation for a new contract term, and it is vitally important that there is no gap in service. We expect any new provider to commence delivery on 1 January 2026. The Contractor will deliver counselling and emotional wellbeing services to the students that are registered with the University of Suffolk, Ipswich campus, including students on intermission but excluding students from any partnership arrangements. Services will be made available as per the terms set out within this invitation to tender and any subsequent contract.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f68a5fc4-06b0-4883-8a96-86c7a46efc61 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Single tender action (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 24 Nov 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 9 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £50,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £42,630 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF SUFFOLK |
| Locality | IPSWICH |
| Post town | Ipswich |
| Postcode | IP4 1QJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH6 Suffolk |
| ITL 3 | TLH62 Ipswich |
| Local authority | Ipswich |
| Electoral ward | Alexandra |
| Westminster constituency | Ipswich |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | HEALTH ASSURED |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85312320 - Counselling services

## Release History

- 2 Mar 2026 at 13:04 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f68a5fc4-06b0-4883-8a96-86c7a46efc61

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f68a5fc4-06b0-4883-8a96-86c7a46efc61
  2nd March 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- http://www.uos.ac.uk

## Provenance

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