---
title: "Children & Young People Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0587d7"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0587d7"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0587d7.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0587d7.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-02-23"
---

# Children & Young People Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services

Buyer: STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0587d7

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## Summary

Staffordshire County Council is the contracting authority for the tender titled "Children & Young People Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services," which falls under the industry category of health and social work services. The procurement process follows an open procedure and is supported by the light touch regime. This opportunity involves services aimed at vulnerable groups such as looked after children, children involved in protection proceedings, and individuals with special educational needs and disabilities in Staffordshire, UK. Key dates include the contract period spanning from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028, with a possible extension until 31st March 2029. The procurement process is now in the award stage, following commencement of the tender process earlier in planning and tender stages.

This tender presents ample growth opportunities for businesses specialising in advocacy and support services within the social work sector. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly well-placed to compete, given the suitability of the lots for these types of organisations. The contract, valued grossly at GBP 840,000, is awarded to ASIST., an SME, showcasing that smaller entities can successfully bid in such competitive settings. Businesses with capabilities in providing consistent advocacy, support for children and young people, and independent visitor services can expand their portfolio and reputation in working alongside reputable public bodies like Staffordshire County Council.

## Notice

The service will comprise of three main elements: A. Independent Advocacy as required in statute for Staffordshire Looked After Children (5-25yrs), Children involved in Child Protection Proceedings (5-18yrs), and Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (including Learning Disabilities) 5-25yrs: The overall aim of the Service is to fulfil the authority's statutory requirements with respect to the availability of independent advocates to a high standard and improve outcomes for vulnerable groups. The Provider will do this by ensuring the views of children and young people are well represented and where required, they are provided with appropriate advocacy. B. Independent Visitors Service for Staffordshire Children in our Care: Will improve outcomes for Staffordshire Children in Care by using trained independent volunteers to visit, befriend and advise eligible young people. The independent visitors will provide consistency within the lives of young people who may be experiencing a number of changes. They will be a source of support, information, and guidance, encouraging young people to achieve their full potential and access the full range of opportunities that are available to them. C. Parenting Advocacy Services: The Provider will provide a Parenting Advocacy Service for adults who are aged over 25 years of age and have assessed Special Education Needs and Disability or have had a cognitive/capacity assessment that has deemed that the individual lacks the capacity to advocate for themselves. This Parenting Advocacy Service is to be provided to parent/parents of a Child who is subject to open Child Protection Planning/Early Intervention and Child in Need planning. There is an additional requirement to fulfil the following services, but these are of a much more limited volume: D. Independent Person(s) for Secure Accommodation Reviews: Will advocate on behalf of the child, ensuring their wishes and feelings are given due consideration by the local authority. The Independent Person will also be a member of the secure criteria review panel who decides whether the criteria for a young person remaining in secure accommodation is met. E. Appropriate Adult for Independent Age Assessments for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children & Young People: Will have the skills to support the child or young person in and to challenge social workers if they feel the interview is not being conducted appropriately. They should advocate on behalf of the child or young person, represent their best interests, and ensure that the child or young person's welfare needs are met during the interview process.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. At the Authority's entire discretion, the term may be extended by 12 months to the 31st March 2029 on the same terms for such period in accordance with the contract.

Renewal: The contract will commence on 1st April 2026 and, subject to earlier termination in accordance with its terms, will continue until midnight on 31st March 2028. At the Authority's entire discretion, the term may be extended by 12 months until the 31st March 2029 on the same terms for such period in accordance with the condition set out in the contract.

### Planning Information

1.The provider will access the consultation form via this link: 
• https://forms.office.com/e/WpQJKEsEuv
2.The form will then guide the provider through the consultation feedback required and allow commentary around the future services.
3.Staffordshire County Council will consider all consultation feedback received and where appropriate incorporate this into future service requirements.
4.A summarised version of all responses received through consultation will be made available as part of any future tender documents.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015889-2026 |
| 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 | 23 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Nov 2025 |
| Future notice date | 12 Sep 2025 |
| Award date | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £700,000 |
| Lots value | £700,000 |
| Awards value | £700,000 |
| Contracts value | £700,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | STAFFORD |
| Post town | Stoke-on-Trent |
| Postcode | ST16 2DH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLG24 Staffordshire CC |
| Local authority | Stafford |
| Electoral ward | Forebridge |
| Westminster constituency | Stafford |
| Delivery location | TLG24 Staffordshire CC |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ASIST. |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 23 Feb 2026 at 08:18 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015889-2026
- 6 Jan 2026 at 06:52 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000496-2026
- 15 Oct 2025 at 06:48 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065398-2025
- 14 Aug 2025 at 11:39 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048730-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015889-2026
  23rd February 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/000496-2026
  6th January 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065398-2025
  15th October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048730-2025
  14th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.asist.co.uk
- https://forms.office.com/e/WpQJKEsEuv
- https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk

## 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-0587d7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0587d7.json.