---
title: "Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD"
published: "2026-03-20"
---

# Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)

Buyer: NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a

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## Summary

The NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board has awarded a contract titled "Direct Payment Support Services (AACC)" to Independent Lives (Disability). This procurement falls under the industry category of business services, which includes law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, and security services. The contract commenced on 13th February 2026 and is set to end on 31st March 2027, though it may be extended until March 2028. The procurement method employed was a direct award due to extreme and unavoidable urgency, ensuring continuity of essential services across Sussex. The contracting process was initiated under the tender stage and is already in the award phase, with a contract value of £303,061.62 (excluding VAT). The procurement covers delivery within the UK, specifically the UKJ2 region.

Given the scope of services required, this tender offers substantial business growth opportunities for companies experienced in providing person-centred support services. Potential suppliers that can provide guidance on managing direct payments, legal and employment advice, and compliant recruitment practices are encouraged to engage. Organizations specialising in payroll, insurance, and PA training will find this contract particularly aligned with their expertise. SMEs and VCSE (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises) active within the public health sphere could be well-suited for future opportunities, as the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board aims to ensure flexible and accessible service provision, enhancing recruitment platforms and collaborating in local policy developments.

## Notice

This contract provides person-centred support to individuals managing Direct Payments or Personal Health Budgets for employing Personal Assistants (PA). Services include tailored guidance, budgeting assistance, legal and employment advice, and provision of customisable templates such as contracts and job descriptions. Ensuring data protection compliance and promotes safe recruitment practices, including DBS checks and eligibility verification. To support PA training, dispute resolution, and access to additional services like payroll and insurance. It facilitates recruitment through its PA Pages platform and works collaboratively to shape local policy. The service is to be flexible, accessible, and committed to continuous improvement and innovation in Direct Payment support.

### Procurement Information

Extreme and unavoidable urgency. To ensure continuity of essential services-including access to funds, payroll, employment support, and mandatory PA training-a full procurement exercise is not feasible within the limited timeframe available. The ICB proposes engaging Independent Lives under a temporary arrangement to take on clients and expand coverage across Sussex. This service was expanded from West Sussex to include new clients from East Sussex and Brighton and Hove areas from 1 October 25. This interim solution will remain in place for 26 months, allowing time to align service specifications, complete market engagement, and respond to strategic changes including the merger of Surrey and Sussex ICBs. This waiver is necessary to maintain service continuity, safeguard vulnerable individuals, and ensure compliance with statutory responsibilities during a period of transition and strategic review.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025825-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 12 Nov 2025 |
| Contract period | 13 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £303,061 |
| Contracts value | £303,061 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NHS SUSSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD |
| Additional buyers | NHS SOUTH CENTRAL AND WEST CSU |
| Locality | LEWES |
| Post town | Brighton |
| Postcode | BN7 2FZ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| ITL 3 | TLJ35 South Hampshire |
| Local authority | Eastleigh |
| Electoral ward | Eastleigh Central |
| Westminster constituency | Eastleigh |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | INDEPENDENT LIVES (DISABILITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

## Release History

- 20 Mar 2026 at 14:21 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025825-2026
- 15 Dec 2025 at 10:15 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082780-2025
- 1 Dec 2025 at 16:34 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078636-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025825-2026
  20th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082780-2025
  15th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078636-2025
  1st December 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.independentlives.org
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.scwcsu.nhs.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-05ec4a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ec4a.json.