---
title: "Direct Payment Support Service"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06a070"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06a070"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06a070.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06a070.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-22"
---

# Direct Payment Support Service

Buyer: CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06a070

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06a070)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06a070.json)

## Summary

Cheshire East Council is in the planning stage of a public procurement process titled "Direct Payment Support Service," aimed at providing guidance and counselling services within the borough of Cheshire East, UK. Classified under the services category, this opportunity falls under the light-touch regime and does not exceed the threshold limit. The council is currently conducting market engagement to gather interest from potential providers, with a key milestone set for 8th June 2026, by which interested parties are expected to submit a completed questionnaire. The contract is scheduled to commence on 1st April 2027, lasting until 31st March 2029, with a possible extension until 31st March 2030.

This tender presents significant business growth potential for organisations specialising in providing impartial, independent advice on direct payment systems. Suited for companies experienced in offering financial, legal, and employment advice, this contract allows businesses to help Cheshire East residents make informed decisions regarding their care needs. By engaging in this tender, businesses can expand their service offerings and establish strong ties with a local authority, potentially leading to future opportunities. Interested businesses should ensure readiness by the forthcoming deadline to position themselves competitively in this evolving sector.

## Notice

Cheshire East Council is undertaking a soft market testing exercise to assess interest and gather information from organisations interested in providing a direct payment support service within the borough of Cheshire East. Direct Payment Support Service will provide, impartial, independent information and advice to residents of Cheshire East around all aspects of accessing and managing Direct Payments, this includes the financial, legal and employment responsibilities associated with direct payments. The service promotes independence, enabling and empowering individuals to make informed decisions regarding their care and support. Please send your completed questionnaire via email to commissioning@cheshireeast.gov.uk by 12:00pm Monday, 8th June 2026.

### Planning Information

Full details of the market engagement can be found by visiting The Chest at https://www.the-chest.org.uk/
The relevant project reference is DN815999.
We kindly invite interested participants to download and complete the questionnaire, then submit it to the email address stated within the questionnaire document.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047575-2026 |
| 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 | 22 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 24 Aug 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £421,200 |
| 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 | CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL |
| Locality | CREWE |
| Post town | Crewe |
| Postcode | CW1 2JZ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire |
| ITL 3 | TLD62 Cheshire East |
| Local authority | Cheshire East |
| Electoral ward | Crewe Central |
| Westminster constituency | Crewe and Nantwich |
| Delivery location | TLD62 Cheshire East |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

## Release History

- 22 May 2026 at 09:26 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047575-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047575-2026
  22nd May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.the-chest.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-06a070. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06a070.json.