Planning

Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (ECFWS)

  • Essex County Council

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-000926

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04cf44

Published 10 January 2025, 4:45pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Essex County Council

County Hall, Market Road

Chelmsford

CM1 1QH

Contact

Mr Rizwan Sher

Email

rizwan.sher@essex.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKH3 - Essex

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.essex.gov.uk/

Buyer's address

https://www.essex.gov.uk/

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://procontract.due-north.com/

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (ECFWS)

Reference number

DN758575

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85300000 - Social work and related services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

In Essex, our vision is to work in partnership to create lasting positive change for children, young people and families. This is why the ECC’s Children and Families team, Public Health team and NHS west Essex are working together. We want to make it easy for local families to access integrated services which enable them to be safe, healthy, connected, happy and learning. Central to delivering this vision is the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (ECFWS).

First established in 2017 we have sought and continue to be committed to the delivery of the ECFWS as a ‘service without walls’ which meets the following principles:

1. Is focussed on citizens’ outcomes and experiences.

2. Adapts and creates opportunities to innovate.

3. Believes that most citizens can be masters of their own destinies and helps them to take control.

4. Collaborates with partners to solve problems.

5. Engages and listens to citizens, involving them directly in understanding problems, testing solutions.

6. Learns and improves by analysing and reflecting in an open way.

As we move into the next decade of the ECFWS delivery we want to work with a provider that not only meets these principles but is able to do so with a laser focus on our priority places, priority people and priority outcomes. Achieving this will include delivering the following services:

1. Public health services: 0 – 19 Healthy child programme and the healthy schools programme (Essex county resident population)

2. Children’s and families services: Family hub venues and services (Essex county resident population)

3. NHS services: Community paediatrics, ASD/ADHD, looked after children assessment, community nursing, special school nursing (West Essex NHS registered population including Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford district council areas).

We are currently exploring the inclusion of other possible services such as children in care medical assessments and child protection medicals. We are also working with Suffolk and North East Essex and Mid and South East Essex Integrated Care Boards to explore the potential for NHS specialist children's services provided to Essex NHS registered patients to transition into this contract after commencement. We are currently planning for a contract of a minimum of 10 years. The value of the existing contract is approximately £350m over ten years, with additional functions that could increase to £600m over the next ten years.

With the current contract concluding on the 31 March 2027 we want to talk to potential providers about our vision, principles and priorities. If you would like to find out more then please register to join one of our engagement sessions taking place on Tuesday, 21 January, 2025, 1.30 – 3pm or Tuesday, 4 February, 2025 from 10 – 11.30am by emailing Tony.Fisher@essex.gov.uk.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £600,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85100000 - Health services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKH3 - Essex

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

In Essex, our vision is to work in partnership to create lasting positive change for children, young people and families. This is why the ECC’s Children and Families team, Public Health team and NHS west Essex are working together. We want to make it easy for local families to access integrated services which enable them to be safe, healthy, connected, happy and learning. Central to delivering this vision is the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service (ECFWS).

First established in 2017 we have sought and continue to be committed to the delivery of the ECFWS as a ‘service without walls’ which meets the following principles:

1. Is focussed on citizens’ outcomes and experiences.

2. Adapts and creates opportunities to innovate.

3. Believes that most citizens can be masters of their own destinies and helps them to take control.

4. Collaborates with partners to solve problems.

5. Engages and listens to citizens, involving them directly in understanding problems, testing solutions.

6. Learns and improves by analysing and reflecting in an open way.

As we move into the next decade of the ECFWS delivery we want to work with a provider that not only meets these principles but is able to do so with a laser focus on our priority places, priority people and priority outcomes. Achieving this will include delivering the following services:

1. Public health services: 0 – 19 Healthy child programme and the healthy schools programme (Essex county resident population)

2. Children’s and families services: Family hub venues and services (Essex county resident population)

3. NHS services: Community paediatrics, ASD/ADHD, looked after children assessment, community nursing, special school nursing (West Essex NHS registered population including Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford district council areas).

We are currently exploring the inclusion of other possible services such as children in care medical assessments and child protection medicals. We are also working with Suffolk and North East Essex and Mid and South East Essex Integrated Care Boards to explore the potential for NHS specialist children's services provided to Essex NHS registered patients to transition into this contract after commencement. We are currently planning for a contract of a minimum of 10 years. The value of the existing contract is approximately £350m over ten years, with additional functions that could increase to £600m over the next ten years.

With the current contract concluding on the 31 March 2027 we want to talk to potential providers about our vision, principles and priorities. If you would like to find out more then please register to join one of our engagement sessions taking place on Tuesday, 21 January, 2025, 1.30 – 3pm or Tuesday, 4 February, 2025 from 10 – 11.30am by emailing Tony.Fisher@essex.gov.uk.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 November 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes