Scope
Description
Cumberland Council is looking to engage with providers with capacity and the required skills and experience to deliver an Independent Visiting Service to our cared for children and young people.
Independent Visitors are adult volunteers who provide independent, one to one support to children who are cared for, to become a consistent figure in their lives when there is no one in their family/network to take on this role.
An Independent Visitor is there to visit, advise and befriend a child / young person, offering them consistency, support and encouragement throughout the time they are in care and often beyond this time.
All visitors participating in the scheme take part on a voluntary basis.
An Independent Visitor is often the only person in the life of a cared for child / young person that is not paid to be there and is there because they want to be. This can have a significant and positive effect on children and young people and can increase their self confidence and self esteem.
There will be an engagement session held on July 10th at 10:00am via Teams.
Total value (estimated)
- £129,927 excluding VAT
- £155,913 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85100000 - Health services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKD1 - Cumbria
Engagement
Engagement deadline
7 July 2025
Engagement process description
We are inviting all interested providers to join us for a provider engagement session on the 10th July 2025, 10 am to 12 noon via Microsoft Teams.
As part of the provider engagement session the Council Commissioning Team will discuss the outline commissioning plan, talk through the tender process and commissioning timeline. The Service Lead will give an overview of the expectations of the service we wish to deliver. The Council welcomes the views of providers with the ability and experience to deliver this service and there will also be an opportunity for providers to ask questions.
To reserve a space on the provider engagement session please send an email to Alice Clague, Commissioning Officer using the following email address: alice.clague@cumberland.gov.uk by 5pm Monday 7th July 2025.
A Microsoft Teams invite link and agenda will be sent to all providers who register an interest before the deadline (7th July 2025, 5pm.)
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Cumberland Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJGX-9191-DYLV
Cumbria House, 107-117 Botchergate
Carlisle
CA1 1RD
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government