--- title: "Childrens Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service. Preliminary Market Engagement" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-068987" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-068987" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068987.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068987.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL" published: "2026-04-23" --- # Childrens Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service. Preliminary Market Engagement Buyer: SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-068987 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-068987) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068987.json) ## Summary Swindon Borough Council is currently at the planning stage for a tender concerning the provision of Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors services within the United Kingdom, specifically in the region of UKK14. This procurement process, initiated on 23 April 2026, entails preliminary market engagement where suppliers are invited to register their interest and submit feedback via the ProContract portal by the deadline of 15 May 2026. The procurement falls under the services category with a projected gross contract value of £690,000 and is structured to engage a single supplier to ensure high-quality support for children and young people, including those in or out of the borough. The contract period is expected to start on 1 April 2027 and continue until 31 March 2030, with potential extensions available until 2032. The procurement is above the threshold and follows a light touch regime, reflecting its special nature and focus on equal opportunities consultancy, guidance, and counselling services. This tender presents robust opportunities for businesses that specialise in services for children, particularly those adept in children's advocacy and independent visitor roles. Such businesses can leverage their expertise to contribute to Swindon Borough Council's mission of enhancing children's rights, wellbeing, and participation. Companies capable of providing guidance, support, and emotional resilience to a diverse group of young individuals—such as those in care, care leavers, and disabled children—could stand to benefit significantly. This opportunity is well-suited for organisations that prioritise collaboration and strategic partnerships, as the successful supplier is expected to work closely with the council and partner agencies to deliver transformative outcomes for children and young people. ## Notice Swindon Borough Council invites you to contribute to preliminary market engagement in relation to Childrens Advocacy and Independent Visitor services and would welcome the views of suppliers on the questions set out in the questionnaire. The intention is to invite supplier feedback to help shape the final specification and commercial model to ensure the tender delivers the optimum outcomes for the Council. Swindon Borough Council is seeking to award a Single Supplier who will be responsible for supporting children and young people, ensuring that those living in Swindon (including children placed out of borough) have access to independent, rights-based support through both Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitor services. Children's Advocacy is a rights-based service that places the voice, wishes and feelings of the child or young person at the centre of decision-making. It provides independent support to help children understand their rights, navigate complex statutory and professional systems, and communicate what matters to them in a safe and supported way. This will include supporting children in care, care leavers, children involved in child protection or care proceedings, disabled children, and those who self-refer for help. Independent Visitor services provide Children We Care For with the opportunity to build a consistent, trusted relationship with an independent adult who is not involved in their care planning or statutory processes. Independent Visitors offer stability, positive experiences, and emotional support, helping to reduce isolation and promote wellbeing and resilience. The successful supplier will work collaboratively with Swindon Borough Council and partner agencies, while maintaining the independence required of both Advocacy and Independent Visitor services, to ensure children's rights, wellbeing, and participation remain central at all times. ### Planning Information Engagement Process Description DN814029 To participate in the Preliminary Market Engagement Suppliers will need to Register as a Supplier with ProContract, www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk, then Register an Interest before obtaining access to the Preliminary Market Engagement documents. Responses to the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire are required to be submitted no later than 15th May 2026, 17:00 hrs UK Local time via ProContract tender portal - https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/ ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037047-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 15 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £575,000 | | 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 | SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL | | Locality | SWINDON | | Post town | Swindon | | Postcode | SN1 2JH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon | | Local authority | Swindon | | Electoral ward | Eastcott | | Westminster constituency | Swindon South | | Delivery location | TLK14 Swindon | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services - 98 - Other community, social and personal services ### Codes - 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services - 98113000 - Services furnished by specialist organisations - 98200000 - Equal opportunities consultancy services ## Release History - 23 Apr 2026 at 11:35 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037047-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037047-2026 23rd April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.swindon.gov.uk - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.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-068987. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068987.json.