Scope
Reference
24-081
Description
Sub Regional Collaboration to Co-design a Digital Solution for Unpaid Carers - Adult Social Care - Unpaid Carers App
Overview
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, in partnership with Barnsley, Doncaster, and Sheffield Councils, is seeking a delivery partner with a proven track record in co-funded, co-designed digital innovation within the public sector. The provider will lead a short-term, high-impact project focused on developing a scalable, AI-enabled solution to support unpaid carers, aligned with the principles of the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) and integrated care system (ICS) collaboration.
Project Objectives
The project aims to address critical challenges in adult social care, particularly those affecting unpaid carers. The provider will co-design and deliver a multi-channel, multi-modal digital solution with local authorities and health partners. The solution should be affordable, sustainable, and scalable across the region. Additionally, the provider will evaluate and report on outcomes and benefits realization to inform future investment decisions.
Essential Requirements
The successful provider must demonstrate extensive experience in public sector collaboration, particularly with multiple local authorities and health partners. They should have a deep understanding of adult social care, the Care Act 2014, and the unique needs of unpaid carers. The provider must have a proven ability to deliver projects aligned with ARF principles, including innovation, co-production, and ICS integration. They should be capable of mobilising immediately and delivering within a short timeframe. Experience in AI-driven information and advice services, including governance, safeguarding, cyber security, and compliance with IT standards across multiple authorities, is essential. The provider should have a track record of research-informed delivery, including direct face-to-face engagement with unpaid carers across diverse geographic locations. Sensitivity to organisational, structural, and procedural differences in large-scale public sector environments is crucial. The provider must demonstrate the ability to assess benefits realisation and produce high-quality reports for senior decision-makers. Experience in developing sustainable commercial models and scaling digital solutions regionally is also required.
Delivery Expectations
The provider is expected to engage on-site across Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, and Sheffield. They will co-produce the solution with unpaid carers and frontline professionals. The provider will deliver a comprehensive final report, including evaluation of outcomes, benefits, and recommendations for future investment. Consideration of the impact of emerging technologies on local government support for unpaid carers is also expected.
Contract 1. Unpaid Carers App
Supplier
Contract value
- £350,000 excluding VAT
- £420,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
11 July 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 18 July 2025 to 18 January 2027
- 1 year, 6 months, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 48000000 - Software package and information systems
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKE3 - South Yorkshire
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Prototypes and development
Through the research undertaken by the Council, CC2i were identified as the only UK-based public sector collaboration platform that delivers this type of co-funded, co-designed digital innovation. Their model-underpinned by a comprehensive legal framework-enables multiple local authorities to collaboratively address shared challenges in a way that is affordable, scalable, and sustainable. This unique approach, combined with their extensive experience in adult social care and AI-driven service design, makes CC2i uniquely positioned to deliver this project to the necessary standard.
CC2i's extensive experience includes working directly with multiple local authorities and health partners, managing the complexities of organisational, structural, and procedural differences across large-scale systems. Their approach is rooted in research-informed delivery, evidence-led solutions, and tailored co-production with direct face-to-face engagement-particularly with unpaid carers. The provider also brings a strong track record in:
• Delivering AI-driven information and advice solutions in partnership with local authorities,
• Addressing AI-specific challenges such as information governance, safeguarding, cyber security, and content curation,
• Assessing benefits realisation and evaluating outcomes of digital interventions in adult social care, and
• Developing sustainable commercial models and comprehensive reporting to support strategic decision-making by senior leaders.
Given the specificity of the project, and the absence of any other provider with this unique combination of capabilities, a direct award is believed to be the only viable route to ensure successful delivery.
Supplier
CC2I LIMITED
- Companies House: 10239373
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRQR-8872-GMDQ
C/O Shaw Gibbs Limited
Teddington
TW11 8HG
United Kingdom
Email: info@cc2i.org.uk
Website: https://cc2i.org.uk/
Region: UKI75 - Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Unpaid Carers App
Contracting authorities
Rotherham Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGYC-3376-BGQP
Riverside House, Main Street
Rotherham
S60 1AE
United Kingdom
Contact name: Lorna Byne
Telephone: +441709334159
Email: procurement.people@rotherham.gov.uk
Website: https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/
Region: UKE31 - Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
BARNSLEY METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYHH-2597-YVZG
Town Hall, Church Street
Barnsley
S70 2TA
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@barnsley.gov.uk
Region: UKE31 - Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
City of Doncaster Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLHR-4113-HMNQ
Civic Office, Waterdale
Doncaster
DN1 3BU
United Kingdom
Region: UKE31 - Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Sheffield City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPQT-9425-JWVM
The Town Hall, Pinstone St
Sheffield
S1 2HH
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@sheffield.gov.uk
Region: UKE32 - Sheffield
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government