Scope
Reference
CCS042
Description
Derbyshire County Council is seeking to commission a service to provide creative mentors for Derbyshire Children in Care and any other child or young person that falls within the scope of extended duties of the Virtual School from Reception to Year 13. The in-person mentoring service will be required regionally to Derbyshire and nationwide (within England) where children/young people are placed in other local authorities.
The Virtual School requires the Provider to have the capacity of up to 65 children/young people receiving support for up to one term at any one time.
The Provider will utilise a primary provider delivery model and will be responsible for managing the creative mentor service and network of mentors, taking the concept of the existing mentoring model to meet the needs of both children and young people in education and those who are at risk of suspension or permanent exclusion.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,872,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
- Possible extension to 31 August 2032
- 6 years
Description of possible extension:
Three, 1 year extension periods are available, subject to satisfactory performance, budget availability and on-going requirements for the service.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Please see published tender documentation.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Please see published tender documentation.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
4 February 2026, 10:00am
Tender submission deadline
18 February 2026, 11:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
22 May 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 21 January 2029
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 70% |
| Price | Price | 25% |
| Social Value | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Payment terms
Please see tender documentation
Description of risks to contract performance
Legislative changes
and/or
Other external factors, outside of the control of the Council and Provider on a global, national, regional or local level which would require changes to the way in which the contract is performed or the costs associated with delivering services.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=d74bf87b-e8f6-f011-813c-005056b64545&fromProjectDashboard=True
Contracting authority
Derbyshire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWZQ-2162-JJQL
County Hall
Matlock
DE4 3AG
United Kingdom
Region: UKF13 - South and West Derbyshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government