---
title: "Independent Scrutineer of Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0566c7"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0566c7"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0566c7.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0566c7.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2025-12-18"
---

# Independent Scrutineer of Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP)

Buyer: NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0566c7

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## Summary

Northumberland County Council has completed the procurement process for the role of Independent Scrutineer for the Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP). This initiative, classified under the CPV categories of administrative and health and social work services, took place primarily in the UKC21 region, focusing on Morpeth, United Kingdom. Initiated through an open competition procurement method below threshold, tenders were invited until 1st August 2025. "Better Together Safeguarding Services" has been awarded the contract, active from 1st November 2025 to 31st October 2027, with options for renewal up to 2029.

This procurement provides valuable growth opportunities for businesses capable of delivering specialised administrative and social work services, particularly those that can independently scrutinise and challenge safeguarding practices. SMEs with expertise in ensuring multi-agency cooperation and inclusion of voices in safeguarding decision-making are well-placed to compete. With a focus on quality over cost (80% to 20% respectively), this contract is suited for companies prioritising high-quality service in safeguarding roles.

## Notice

Northumberland County Council would like to commission a provider to undertake the role of Independent Scrutineer of the Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP). This is a mandatory role. This provider must be able to provide independent scrutiny and rigorous constructive challenge to support the Statutory Safeguarding Partners and Relevant Agencies to fulfil their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults with needs for care and support. The role includes providing assurance regarding the effectiveness of local multi-agency arrangements in Northumberland with a particular focus on practice and supporting inclusion of the voice of children and adults in decision making and assurance. The NCASP Executive group, Business groups and subgroups meet at quarterly schedules, and the Independent Scrutineer will be required to provide scrutiny and challenge across the Partnership, hold partners to account, and have an independent view of effectiveness of both children and adults safeguarding arrangements.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084165-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 1 Aug 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 29 Oct 2025 |
| Contract period | 1 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £60,000 |
| Lots value | £60,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £60,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | MORPETH |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE61 2EF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC42 Northumberland |
| Local authority | Northumberland |
| Electoral ward | Morpeth Kirkhill |
| Westminster constituency | North Northumberland |
| Delivery location | TLC21 Northumberland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | BETTER TOGETHER SAFEGUARDING SERVICES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 75120000 - Administrative services of agencies
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services

## Release History

- 18 Dec 2025 at 09:48 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084165-2025
- 28 Jul 2025 at 09:49 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043346-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084165-2025
  18th December 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043346-2025
  28th July 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.northumberland.gov.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.open-uk.org/
- https://www.open-uk.org/ToviewthisopportunityyouwillneedtoregisterontheOPENE-procurementportal.Whenregistered,pleasesearchforthetendertitleNCC1659IndependentScrutineerofNorthumberlandChildrenandAdultsSafeguardingPartnership(NCASP)

## 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-0566c7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0566c7.json.