Award

Families First for Children Pathfinder

  • Wolverhampton City Council

UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-013601

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0594d9 (view related notices)

Published 13 February 2026, 4:20pm



Scope

Reference

CWC25129

Description

The procurement is for the Families First for Children Pathfinder (FFCP) programme, under a multi-lot contract comprising:

Lot 1 - Targeted Youth Support: this is a needs-led provision designed to support young people in navigating services, accessing support, and having their voices heard in matters affecting their lives and wellbeing.

Lot 2 - Parental Advocacy: this is a needs-led provision designed to support parents and carers in navigating services, accessing support, and having their voices heard in matters affecting their families.

The Procurement was conducted in accordance with the Act using the Open Procedure (Section 20 (2(a)) for services which are considered Light Touch Regime (LTR) services under the Public Procurement Act 2023


Lot 1. Targeted Youth Support

Description

This service will support vulnerable young people aged 11-18, particularly those at risk of exploitation, gang involvement, and youth violence. The model is embedded within the Family Help strand and will work with families open to Targeted Family Help and Child in Need pathways, without requiring a social worker allocation.

The aim is to deliver trauma-informed, multi-agency support for adolescents (11-18) at risk of extra-familial harm, exploitation, and poor outcomes, without requiring an allocated social worker.

• Intensive 1:1 support and group interventions.

• All-female delivery team for trauma-informed work with girls.

• Referrals from Family Help,YOT, MACE, and other partners.

• Early Support Plans and exploitation screening tools.

• Performance monitoring including "distance travelled" outcomes.

Detailed requirements are set out with in the Tender Pack - Appendix B: Targeted Youth Support Service Specification


Lot 2. Parental Advocacy

Description

This service will enhance parental engagement in child protection processes through independent advocacy. Advocates will support parents during Section 47 enquiries and child protection conferences, ensuring their understanding and voice are central to decision-making.

The service expects providers to provide independent, professional advocacy for parents involved in statutory child protection processes (CIN, CP, LAC), ensuring they are informed, supported, and empowered to participate meaningfully.

Key features include:

• Support for all parents, including fathers and non-resident carers

• Representation at key child protection stages

• Focus on improving parental experience and collaboration

• Advocacy at key safeguarding stages (Section 47, CP conferences, Core Groups)

• Rapid allocation within 24 hours of referral

• Focus on barriers to engagement (e.g., neurodivergence, mental health, domestic abuse)

• Embedded within Family Help Teams

• Monthly performance reporting and DfE checkpoint submissions

Detailed requirements are set out with in the Tender Pack - Appendix B: Parental Advocacy.


Contract 1. CWC25129 - Lot 1. Targeted Youth Support

Lots

Lot 1. Targeted Youth Support

Supplier

Contract value

  • £880,000 excluding VAT
  • £1,056,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Award decision date

13 February 2026

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

13 February 2026

Standstill period

  • End: 24 February 2026
  • 8 working days

Earliest date the contract will be signed

16 March 2026

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
  • Possible extension to 31 March 2030
  • 4 years

Description of possible extension:

The contract has optional extension of up to one year. The extension of this contract is subject to funding availability and subject to the Council's internal governance processes. The Council has the discretion to extend this Contract after year 3.

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

Contract 2. CWC25129 - Lot 2. Parental Advocacy

Lots

Lot 2. Parental Advocacy

Supplier

Contract value

  • £300,000 excluding VAT
  • £360,000 including VAT

Below the relevant threshold

Award decision date

13 February 2026

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

13 February 2026

Earliest date the contract will be signed

16 March 2026

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
  • Possible extension to 31 March 2030
  • 4 years

Description of possible extension:

The contract has optional extension of up to one year. The extension of this contract is subject to funding availability and subject to the Council's internal governance processes. The Council has the discretion to extend this Contract after year 3.

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

Contract locations

  • UKG39 - Wolverhampton

Information about tenders

Lot 1. Targeted Youth Support

  • 3 tenders received
  • 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 3 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 1 supplier awarded contracts
  • 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Lot 2. Parental Advocacy

  • 4 tenders received
  • 4 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 4 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 1 supplier awarded contracts
  • 3 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Special regime

Light touch


Suppliers

St Giles Trust

  • Companies House: 02175146

Georgian House, 64-68 Camberwell Church Street

London

SE5 8JB

United Kingdom

Region: UKI44 - Lewisham and Southwark

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. CWC25129 - Lot 1. Targeted Youth Support

VOICEABILITY ADVOCACY

C/O Sayer Vincent, 110, Golden Lane

London

EC1Y 0TG

United Kingdom

Region: UKI43 - Haringey and Islington

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Contract 2. CWC25129 - Lot 2. Parental Advocacy


Contracting authority

Wolverhampton City Council

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVBV-7568-LBLL

Civic Centre, St Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

WV1 1SH

United Kingdom

Region: UKG39 - Wolverhampton

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government