Scope
Reference
ASC25086
Description
Worcestershire County Council (the Council) would like to invite interested organisations to attend a virtual engagement session around the possible future delivery of a Advocacy service across the County.
The Council, with its colleagues at the NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), has been reviewing its position on future commissioning intentions for advocacy services.
An initial market engagement event for this service was held back in March 2024 with the intention that the service would be procured in year (24-25) in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015.
At this event, the following group discussion and learning took place:
- It was noted that there appears to be a move towards local authorities commissioning Advocacy services that are delivering "Whole Life" - combination of Children's and Adult services. Is that something WCC have considered?
- No WCC do not have any plans to combine. Children's have already commissioned their own service. It was discussed that there are pros and cons to having a combined service delivery and in the main it is key that the core skills of service staff are good and can work across both if needs be. It can get complex working with the differing sets of legislation.
- There was a discussion about the Government's proposed LPS (Liberty Protection Safeguards) development and the impact that could have on future contracts being commissioned. WCC have been working in the background, planning for LPS, and if legislation does come into place during the lifetime of any new contract then that can be addressed with the provider of services at the time. There will be budgetary considerations as the forecast of demand for LPS looks significant.
- The question was asked if there would be any annual review of services and price during the contract. WCC will insert a clause into the contract paperwork to reflect the importance of reviewing services on an annual basis at the very least. This would need to be agreed across all partners involved bearing in mind pooled funding.
- As everyone is fully aware budgets are tight so it could be a consideration at point of review when statutory and non-statutory work is prioritised.
Interested organisations are now invited to attend a supplementary market engagement on Thursday 5th June 2025 in light of the new Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) regulations. In accordance with the PA23, an alternative procurement process has been designed to the one previously detailed in March 2024.
The Council would therefore like, at this tentative stage in the development of proposals, and prior to formulating of any formal opportunities, to inform the market of the procurement process, our commissioning intentions and to consult on the content of the service specification.
Total value (estimated)
- £3,360,000 excluding VAT
- £4,032,000 including VAT
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2030
- Possible extension to 31 December 2032
- 7 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Engagement
Engagement deadline
23 June 2025
Engagement process description
Worcestershire County Council (the Council) would like to invite interested organisations to attend a virtual engagement session around the possible future delivery of an Advocacy service across the county.
The Council intends to hold a virtual open information and feedback session for all interested organisations on:
Thursday 5th June 2025
10.30am - 11.30am
Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams
The PowerPoint Slides and any supporting documents will be made available after the event.
Booking a place:
• To book a place on this pre-market engagement session, please email procurement@worcestershire.gov.uk with your name, email address and organisation
• Your details will remain confidential, be stored securely and be used for the purposes of disseminating information about this opportunity only
• Please register your interest for the market engagement event by close of business on 4th June 2025
• Following registration, you will be sent a link to a Microsoft Teams Meeting Invite, which you will need to join on the day
• Should you not be able to attend this event but would like to receive the resources from the pre-market engagement, or should you have any questions about the event, please email procurement@worcestershire.gov.uk
Details of this event can also be found on Worcestershire County Council's Electronic Tendering Site, In Tend. If you are not already registered with In-tend, you will need to register your organisation to view and apply for any opportunities in Worcestershire. To complete your registration, go to https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/worcestershire/aspx/Home
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
24 June 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authorities
Worcestershire County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRPQ-4584-WLPQ
County Hall, Spetchley Road
Worcester
WR5 2NP
United Kingdom
Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
NHS HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNMN-7243-RQRR
Kirkham House, John Comyn Drive
Perdiswell, Worcester
WR3 7NS
United Kingdom
Email: HWicb.contracts@nhs.net
Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government