---
title: "Closing the Gap 2: Debt Support Service"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0506aa"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0506aa"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0506aa.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0506aa.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "READING BOROUGH COUNCIL"
published: "2025-08-07"
---

# Closing the Gap 2: Debt Support Service

Buyer: READING BOROUGH COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0506aa

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0506aa.json)

## Summary

This public procurement process involves Reading Borough Council, which is seeking to provide the "Closing the Gap 2: Debt Support Service". The aim of this initiative is to assist individuals in managing and reducing their debt levels to enhance their financial stability. This project is aligned with the Council's broader strategic objectives, including the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Poverty Needs Analysis. Located in Reading, UK, this procurement falls under the "Social work and related services" industry category. The process completed the award stage, as of 7th August 2025, with Citizens Advice Reading being awarded the contract, valued at £500,000 gross. The contract is set to begin on 1st November 2025 and end on 31st October 2028, with the possibility of a two-year extension.

The open procurement method allows for wider participation, especially from SMEs, as demonstrated by the successful bidder, Citizens Advice Reading, a VCSE. This presents a significant opportunity for small to medium-sized enterprises that specialise in community-based and preventative social services, providing them a platform to contribute to social value and health improvement efforts. Businesses with experience in managing debt support services and those aligned with social impact goals would be well-suited to compete effectively in such tenders. The contract not only promises financial returns but also allows for long-term engagement in community enhancement programmes.

## Notice

RBC are completing a ITT exercise for the provision of Closing the Gap 2: Debt Support Service - This service aims to support individuals to reduce/manage their level of debt, looking to stabilise and improve their financial position. Full details of the requirement can be found in the Specification in Annexe 1. Services under the Closing the Gap programme are commissioned in line with RBC's Council Strategy, Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Poverty Needs Analysis and the Berkshire Joint Strategic Needs Analysis, and focus on community-based, preventative work. These services are commissioned to reduce differences around healthy life expectancy, reduce health inequalities and contribute to long-term change. Suppliers that would like to take part in this process are invited to "Express Interest" upon which they will be given access to the full documentation delivered through this portal. Documents can be accessed from the "My Tenders" area of this website by selecting the "View Details" button for the project. Expressions of interest will only be accepted until 27/05/2025. Any questions relating to this opportunity should be made via the correspondence link on this portal.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046867-2025 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 3 Jun 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 27 Jul 2025 |
| Contract period | 1 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £400,000 |
| Lots value | £400,000 |
| Awards value | £400,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | READING BOROUGH COUNCIL |
| Locality | READING |
| Post town | Reading |
| Postcode | RG1 2LU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ16 Berkshire West |
| Local authority | Reading |
| Electoral ward | Abbey |
| Westminster constituency | Reading Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CITIZENS ADVICE READING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services
- 98 - Other community, social and personal services

### Codes

- 85300000 - Social work and related services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

## Release History

- 7 Aug 2025 at 11:19 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046867-2025
- 24 Apr 2025 at 08:27 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016662-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046867-2025
  7th August 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016662-2025
  24th April 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home
  all submissions must be via Reading Borough Council's In-Tend portal at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/readingbc/aspx/Home

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0506aa. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0506aa.json.