---
title: "KMMH, KCHFT, DGT - Freedom To Speak Up Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-058fbe"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058fbe"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058fbe.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058fbe.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "KENT AND MEDWAY MENTAL HEALTH NHS TRUST"
published: "2026-05-21"
---

# KMMH, KCHFT, DGT - Freedom To Speak Up Services

Buyer: KENT AND MEDWAY MENTAL HEALTH NHS TRUST  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-058fbe

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058fbe)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058fbe.json)

## Summary

The procurement process for Freedom to Speak Up Services was initiated by Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust. These public authorities sought to enhance workplace safety and organisational culture by providing confidential and impartial mechanisms for staff to raise concerns. The tender, conducted through an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, included three lots, with The Guardian Service Ltd awarded the contracts for each. The contracts will commence on various dates in 2026, with a potential extension until 2031. The procurement aligns with enhancing leadership behaviours, organisational responsiveness, and fostering an innovative, learning environment across participating trusts in regions UKJ45 and UKJ43.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses in the business and management consultancy sector, particularly those offering guidance and counselling services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, as the procurement structure, which divided the contracts into three lots, allows for scalable participation. Companies specialising in staff development and human resources management consultancy services, especially those accredited as Freedom to Speak Up Guardians, are well-suited to compete. The focus on confidential and impartial staff support in healthcare settings underscores the importance of experienced providers that can contribute to promoting transparency and continuous improvement within these organisations.

## Notice

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust and Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (the "Contracting Authorities") are each awarding a contract for the provision of Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Services. The FTSU Services will provide staff across the participating Contracting Authorities with a confidential, impartial, and accessible mechanism for raising concerns relating to workplace issues. These may include (though are not limited to) matters of patient care and safety, bullying, harassment, discrimination, unfair treatment, and other concerns regarding conduct, safety, culture, or working practices. The Services will support the Contracting Authorities in delivering their strategic organisational aims by: * empowering staff to speak up safely and confidently through impartial support; * strengthening leadership behaviours and approaches; * Enhancing organisational responsiveness; and * promoting innovation, learning, and continuous improvement through a transparent and responsive organisational culture. This procurement was conducted in accordance with the Open Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, alongside the Contracting Authorities' respective Standing Financial Instructions. The opportunity was divided into three Lots, as follows: * Lot 1: Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust * Lot 2: Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust * Lot 3: Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust A single Contract is being awarded for each Lot, covering the full scope of Services as defined in the Specification. Please note that the contract values included within this notice are estimates only, and do not take into account: (i) the application of indexation; or (ii) potential increases or decreases in the demand for services during the Contract term as detailed within the tender documents.

### Lot Information

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust

Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust invites tenders for the provision of Freedom to Speak Up services, providing its staff with a confidential, impartial, and accessible mechanism for raising concerns relating to workplace issues, behaviour, service quality, safety and/or organisational culture The Contracting Authority is a large Mental Health NHS Trust, providing a full range of adult mental health and learning disability services to our local population of 1.8 million people across Kent and Medway, as well as specialist services for adults in Sussex and Surrey. Each year we care for over 2,000 people in our hospitals and 54,000 people in the community. The Contracting Authority will award one Contract for the provision of all services detailed in the Specification.

Options: During the Contract Term, the Supplier and the Contracting Authority may explore alternative service availability models based on a standard core hours (08:00 - 18:00, Monday to Friday) approach, as opposed to the current 24/7/365 continuous availability arrangement. Any agreed modifications to the delivery model will be subject to the Contract Change Control Process and will require a comprehensive review of related requirements, including key performance indicators, the impact of the changes on the service, and an assessment of commercial viability and value for money.

Renewal: The Term may be extended provided that the duration of this Contract shall be no longer than five (5) years and one (1) month in total from the Services Commencement Date.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust invites tenders for the provision of Freedom to Speak Up services, providing its staff with a confidential, impartial, and accessible mechanism for raising concerns relating to workplace issues, behaviour, service quality, safety and/or organisational culture The Contracting Authority is one of the largest NHS community health providers in England, serving a population of about 3.6million across Kent, East Sussex and parts of London. The trust has over 70 clinical services, and has achieved the highly coveted 'Outstanding' CQC rating. The Trust provides wide-ranging NHS care for people in the community, in a range of settings including people's own homes, nursing homes, health clinics, community hospitals, schools, urgent treatment centres and mobile units. The Contracting Authority will award one Contract for the provision of all services detailed in the Specification.

Options: During the Contract Term, the Supplier and the Contracting Authority may explore alternative service availability models based on a standard core hours (08:00 - 18:00, Monday to Friday) approach, as opposed to the current 24/7/365 continuous availability arrangement. Any agreed modifications to the delivery model will be subject to the Contract Change Control Process and will require a comprehensive review of related requirements, including key performance indicators, the impact of the changes on the service, and an assessment of commercial viability and value for money.

Renewal: The Term may be extended provided that the duration of this Contract shall be no longer than five (5) years in total from the Services Commencement Date.

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust invites tenders for the provision of Freedom to Speak Up services, providing its staff with a confidential, impartial, and accessible mechanism for raising concerns relating to workplace issues, behaviour, service quality, safety and/or organisational culture The Contracting Authority is one of the largest hospital trusts in North Kent, with services at four sites serving a local population of over 500,000 people. The Trust's vision is to be an outstanding hospital Trust providing the best possible care for patients that is safe, well-coordinated, in the right place and designed around the patient's needs. The Contracting Authority will award one Contract for the provision of all services detailed in the Specification.

Options: During the Contract Term, the Supplier and the Contracting Authority may explore alternative service availability models based on a standard core hours (08:00 - 18:00, Monday to Friday) approach, as opposed to the current 24/7/365 continuous availability arrangement. Any agreed modifications to the delivery model will be subject to the Contract Change Control Process and will require a comprehensive review of related requirements, including key performance indicators, the impact of the changes on the service, and an assessment of commercial viability and value for money.

Renewal: The Term may be extended provided that the duration of this Contract shall be no longer than four (4) years and eleven (11) months in total from the Services Commencement Date.

### Planning Information

This engagement is intended to gather valuable feedback from potential providers to help shape the Trusts’ procurement strategy. In particular, the Trusts are seeking insights into viable delivery models, approaches to risk mitigation, appropriate contract structures, and the scalability of services across multiple organisations. The exercise also aims to assess the level of market interest and the capacity of providers to deliver a collaborative, multi-Trust solution, while exploring opportunities for achieving efficiencies and cost savings through a joint procurement approach.
Providers who express an interest will be invited to complete a structured questionnaire to share their insights, capabilities, and recommendations. They will also be invited to attend a virtual market engagement presentation at 14:00 on Friday 5th September 2025, during which the Trusts will outline their objectives, anticipated timelines, and expectations for both the procurement process and the future service.
Suppliers wishing to participate are invited to contact Jake Fisher, Procurement and Contracts Manager, via email at kmpt.procurement@nhs.net Upon registration of interest, further details (including the questionnaire and presentation invitation) will be provided.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046854-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award 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 | 21 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Future notice date | 22 Sep 2025 |
| Award date | 19 May 2026 |
| Contract period | 12 Aug 2026 - 30 Jun 2029 |
| Recurrence | 2031-01-03 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,430,000 |
| Lots value | £1,430,000 |
| Awards value | £504,750 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | KENT AND MEDWAY MENTAL HEALTH NHS TRUST |
| Additional buyers | DARTFORD AND GRAVESHAM NHS TRUST; KENT AND MEDWAY NHS AND SOCIAL CARE PARTNERSHIP TRUST; KENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
| Locality | MAIDSTONE |
| Post town | Rochester |
| Postcode | ME16 9PH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent |
| ITL 3 | TLJ45 Mid Kent |
| Local authority | Ashford |
| Electoral ward | Goat Lees |
| Westminster constituency | Ashford |
| Delivery location | TLJ4 Kent |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THE GUARDIAN SERVICE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
- 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
- 79633000 - Staff development services
- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
- 85312310 - Guidance services

## Release History

- 21 May 2026 at 09:30 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046854-2026
- 6 Feb 2026 at 23:08 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011191-2026
- 29 Aug 2025 at 15:41 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052599-2025
- 28 Aug 2025 at 15:28 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052151-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046854-2026
  21st May 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011191-2026
  6th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052599-2025
  29th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052151-2025
  28th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- https://services.atamis.co.uk/docs/Supplier_User_Guide.pdf
- https://www.dvh.nhs.uk
- https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk
- https://www.kentmedwaymentalhealth.nhs.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.theguardianservice.co.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-058fbe. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058fbe.json.