Scope
Reference
NCC202500175
Description
The School Standards and Organisation Act (Wales) 2013 places a statutory requirement on Local Authorities to provide an independent school based counselling service for children and young people from year 6 of their primary education up to their 19th birthday. The counselling service will be available to children and young people between the ages of 10 and 19 years (school years 5 to 13).
The Service will predominantly be provided on a face to face basis and free of charge to the client at the point of delivery. The counselling offer would need to minimum of 25 days per week of direct counselling provision to children and young people, term time only and split as follows:
- Minimum of 2 days per week face to face session counselling (and online for EBSA students) in each of the 9 secondary schools (18 days per week total)
- Minimum of 4 days total per week face to face counselling to Year 6 pupils across the city, managing a referral system based on highest need.
- Minimum of 1 day per week counselling for the Pupil Referral Unit
- Minimum of 1 day per week counselling for the 2 special schools in Newport.
- Minimum of 1 day a week Community Counselling including online counselling for young people who are EHE and NEET.
- Additional desirable: Minimum of 1 day a week play therapy for younger children.
- Minimum of 3 days a week to provide face to face counselling to Year 5 pupils and under across the city.
The funding would also need to include a Clinical Lead to: - liaise with the Principal EP around the commissioning of the service, manage referrals, complete grant data and other data requests for Welsh Government, line management and supervision of counsellors, termly meetings with secondary school wellbeing leads to feedback data on school based counselling, provide support to schools alongside the EPS in the event of a serious critical incident.
Total value (estimated)
- £2,891,000 excluding VAT
- £3,469,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031
- Possible extension to 31 August 2033
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
The extension is up to 2 years and will be extended on an annual basis subject to review.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Within the contract period, the service may be required to provide counselling from Reception to Year 13 (5 to 19 years) if this becomes statutory or to be in line with the revised Welsh Toolkit. A period of notice of at least 6 months will be given for any changes required. The Service will predominantly be provided on a face to face basis and free of charge to the client at the point of delivery.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85312320 - Counselling services
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
20 March 2026, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
27 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tender document can be accessed and completed via ITT_123300, etenderwales, https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
- Welsh
- English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 May 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Price | 50.00% |
| Direct Counselling Offer | Quality | 24.75% |
| Meeting Diverse Needs | Quality | 6.75% |
| Social Value | Quality | 5.00% |
| Recruitment, Supervision & Staff Development | Quality | 4.50% |
| Referral Processes & Safeguarding | Quality | 4.50% |
| Service Innovation & Best Practice | Quality | 2.25% |
| Community Benefits | Quality | 2.25% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Newport City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWLP-4583-NQGG
Civic Centre
Newport
NP20 4UR
United Kingdom
Contact name: Joanne James
Telephone: +441633987782
Email: joanneclaire.james@newport.gov.uk
Website: HTTP://www.newport.gov.uk
Region: UKL21 - Monmouthshire and Newport
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales