--- title: "Independent Visitors Service" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06129f" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06129f" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06129f.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06129f.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY" published: "2026-01-30" --- # Independent Visitors Service Buyer: LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06129f [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06129f) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06129f.json) ## Summary The London Borough of Hackney is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process to establish an Independent Visitors Service, scheduled to commence on 1st January 2027. This service targets the health and social work services industry, focused on supporting children who are looked after by the local authority. A market engagement event is set to be held virtually via Google Meets on 24th February 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am, with expressions of interest due by 17th February 2026 at 12pm. The procurement method is part of a light-touch regime, with an anticipated contract value of £350,000 to £420,000 over five years, and there is potential for renewal. This contract offers opportunities within the UK, specifically targeting Hackney's social care sector under statutory duties outlined by relevant UK legislation. This tender presents valuable growth opportunities for organisations within the voluntary, community, and independent sectors, especially those experienced in delivering high-quality social care services for children. Businesses capable of embedding Systemic, Trauma-Informed and Anti-Racist Practice within their service delivery are particularly well-suited to bid for this contract. Additionally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) aligning with these aims are encouraged to participate. The procurement initiative seeks to foster collaboration, drive up quality, and improve outcomes, which is favourable for businesses aiming to expand their service offerings in the sector while contributing to the well-being and development of vulnerable children. ## Notice As a provider of Social Care, the London Borough of Hackney is bound by the Children Act 1989 (Schedule 2, Paragraph 17) to appoint an Independent Visitor for a child who is being looked after by the Authority The aim of the Service is for an organisation to provide a stable and supportive adult relationship for a cohort of Children that are looked after and under 18 who are isolated from their families. ### Planning Information The Children and Families service at the London Borough of Hackney is preparing for the upcoming procurement of an Independent Visitor Service, with an anticipated contract start date of 1st January 2027 for a minimum period of 5 years. We invite organisations from the voluntary, community, and independent sectors to attend a market engagement event for providers who may be interested in submitting a tender for this service. About the Service We are seeking providers to work in partnership with the Local Authority to deliver a high-quality Independent Visitors service for children that are looked after. Successful providers must be committed to embedding Systemic, Trauma Informed and Anti Racist Practice within their service delivery, promoting psychological safety, inclusion, and collaboration with children and families. This engagement will inform the commissioning and procurement process, which is focused on driving up quality and improving outcomes in line with Hackney’s statutory duties under the Children Act 1989, Children and Families Act 2014, and Equality Act 2010. The Event will take place virtually over the Google Meets Platform on Tuesday 24th February 2026 between 10:00am and 11:00am How to Register Your Interest Interested organisations are invited to register their interest in attending the event: Via the portal by completing and uploading the short questionnaire before the deadline The closing date for expressions of interest is Tuesday 17th February at 12pm. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008322-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 30 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £350,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY | | Locality | HACKNEY | | Post town | East London | | Postcode | E8 1DY | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East | | ITL 3 | TLI41 Hackney and Newham | | Local authority | Hackney | | Electoral ward | Hackney Central | | Westminster constituency | Hackney South and Shoreditch | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85000000 - Health and social work services ## Release History - 30 Jan 2026 at 10:05 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008322-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008322-2026 30th January 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.hackney.gov.uk - 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-06129f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06129f.json.