---
title: "Family Link Worker Service"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-055053"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055053"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055053.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055053.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DORSET COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-01"
---

# Family Link Worker Service

Buyer: DORSET COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-055053

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055053)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055053.json)

## Summary

The procurement process for the Family Link Worker Service, managed by Dorset Council, has reached its award and contract stage with the contract beginning on 17 April 2026. Dorset Council, notable in the public authority sector, initiated this open procedure tender with a focus on providing intensive support within family homes. The procurement, centred in Dorchester, UK, falls under the health and social work services industry category. The contract is valued at £882,000, with potential extensions extending to 31 March 2030, subject to performance and funding. Key documents and notices were completed with the final award notice published on 1 May 2026.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for those in the health and social work sectors. As the procurement favoured an open procedure, it was accessible and competitive, especially for SMEs, as evidenced by the successful bid from the supplier, Caring for Communities and People, a VCSE organisation. Providers of intensive family support, particularly those with expertise in working with local councils or similar public sector entities, will find the conditions of this contract favourable, including options for renewals and additional purchases. The successful bidder stands to benefit by being part of a major public service initiative focused on family and community support in the Dorset region.

## Notice

Family Link Workers provide intensive, hands-on support within the family home. They are one element of additional support, made available to Lead Practitioners in our Family Help teams and Early Support partners (such as schools and health workers) who are supporting families in need, within our communities. The service is part of our Families First approach. Families First for Children Pathfinder - Dorset Council

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The contracting authority reserves the right to extend or renew the term of the contract as stated above. The contracting authority reserves the right to additional goods, services, or works while the contract is valid. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to modify this contract during its term in accordance with Section 74(1)(a) and Paragraph 1 of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023. These modifications may include: The contracting authority also reserves the right to carry out a subsequent Procurement of similar goods, services or works in reliance on the direct award justification in paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023.

Renewal: The Contract will be for an initial 1 year, with three optional 12-month extension periods (1+1+1), subject to satisfactory performance and funding, giving a potential total contract period of 4 years.

### Planning Information

This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition. It is being published to give notice to the market of an upcoming procurement anticipated for release in July/August 2025.
Dorset Council is preparing to procure a provider for its Family Link Worker (FLW) Service, which forms a key part of the Council’s Families First model. This service builds on the success of the Supporting Families programme, which ceased as a distinct government initiative in March 2025.
As part of our commitment to transparency and early market engagement under the Procurement Act 2023, Dorset Council is inviting interested providers to attend a Market Engagement Webinar. This session will provide an overview of the upcoming opportunity, the service model, and the procurement process, and will include a Q&A session.
About the Service
The Family Link Worker service provides intensive, hands-on support to families in their homes. It is designed to:
• Support Lead Practitioners and Early Support partners (e.g., schools, health workers)
• Address whole-family needs through co-produced family plans
• Focus on parenting, routines, behaviour management, and engagement in positive activities
• Deliver support through role modelling and practical interventions
Webinar Details
Date: Wednesday, 9 July 2025
Time: 10:00–10:45 AM
Format: Online (Microsoft Teams)
Registration: Email dorsetfamiliesmatter@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 17:00 hours Tuesday 8 July to receive the joining link.
We welcome your questions in advance of the webinar.
When you email us to register, please include any questions you'd like us to address during the session.
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions live during the webinar.
If we’re unable to answer a question during the session, we’ll follow up with a written response after the event.
After the event, all registered participants will receive:
• A full summary of all questions and answers discussed during the webinar
• A copy of the presentation slide pack
This information will also be made available as part of the tender pack.
Who Should Attend
This event is open to all interested providers. Participation in this event does not confer any advantage in the procurement process and is intended solely to ensure a level playing field and informed competition.
Registration Requirements
It is the provider’s responsibility to register on The Central Digital Platform (CDP) as soon as possible to avoid delays once the tender is launched.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html
To access information about future tendering opportunities and procurement documentation providers must be registered on the Supplying the South West Portal: www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk
Compliance with the Procurement Act 2023
This notice is issued in accordance with Section 17 of the Procurement Act 2023, which encourages early engagement with the market.
All information shared during the webinar will be made available to all potential bidders to ensure fairness and transparency.
Disclaimer
Dorset Council reserves the right not to commence any procurement in respect of this notice.
Dorset Council shall not be liable for any losses incurred by any party as a result of reliance on the information contained/linked herein.
The information contained in this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is preliminary in nature and may be subject to further amendment and revision. Accordingly, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, will be made and no liability is, or will be, accepted by the Council as to the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of this document. Any liability, however arising, is expressly disclaimed.
No expense in responding to this soft market testing will be reimbursed by the Council.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040273-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Nov 2025 |
| Future notice date | 8 Jul 2025 |
| Award date | 11 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 16 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £882,000 |
| Lots value | £882,000 |
| Awards value | £882,000 |
| Contracts value | £882,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DORSET COUNCIL |
| Locality | DORCHESTER |
| Post town | Dorchester |
| Postcode | DT1 1XJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK64 Dorset |
| Local authority | Dorset |
| Electoral ward | Dorchester West |
| Westminster constituency | West Dorset |
| Delivery location | TLK25 Dorset |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CARING FOR COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 1 May 2026 at 08:20 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040273-2026
- 11 Feb 2026 at 15:15 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012522-2026
- 23 Oct 2025 at 15:41 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067957-2025
- 19 Jun 2025 at 15:47 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033837-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040273-2026
  1st May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012522-2026
  11th February 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067957-2025
  23rd October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033837-2025
  19th June 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/
  The full set of Associated Tender Documents are being provided on the same day that the Tender Notice is published. All Tender documents can be found at the above address.

## Notice URLs

- https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html
- 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-055053. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055053.json.