Scope
Reference
063638- EC09/01/3620
Description
Southampton City Council is issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of an upcoming procurement opportunity for the delivery of the Southampton Early Advice and Support (SEAS) service. This initiative is key to achievement of the Council's aim to enhance resident independence, improve overall community wellbeing, and reduce/ delay demand for formal long term children's and adult's social care.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032
- Possible extension to 31 March 2036
- 10 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKJ32 - Southampton
Engagement
Engagement deadline
1 September 2025
Engagement process description
About SEAS:
The SEAS service will focus on delivering preventative and high-quality Information, Advice, Guidance and direct support to reduce demand on formal children's and adult's social care services. The service will prioritise early intervention, promoting independence, addressing social isolation, for example among older adults (65+) and carers.
Key areas of focus within SEAS will be support for unpaid carers, Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), advice & information for children & young people, flexible direct support to meet different population needs as well as advice and navigation in relation to adult social care, welfare & benefits, immigration & asylum, employment rights & fuel poverty.
The key objectives of SEAS:
• Embedding services within emerging models for neighbourhood hubs - making advice and support more accessible and community-led.
• Strengthening multi-agency collaboration - aligning Southampton City Council, Adult Social Care, Children's Social Care, NHS Integrated Neighbourhood Working (INW), Public Health, and the VCSE sector.
• Ensuring financial sustainability - shifting resources from crisis response to preventative services.
• Supporting vulnerable communities, including carers, people at risk of social isolation and fuel poverty.
• Maintaining and building on the expertise within local communities and the voluntary sector - recognising the important role of the sector, the challenges it faces and bringing in new investment where possible to boost the local offer.
Indicative Procurement Details:
• Estimated Annual Contract Value: £2.4m
• Procurement Process: This procurement will be conducted under the Procurement Act 2023, subject to the commencement of the new regulations.
• Eligibility: Open to organisations capable of delivering a Lead Provider Partnership Model. The model should consider including Voluntary, Community Groups, Social Enterprise, and Registered Charities (VCSE) collaboration.
Additional information
Market Engagement:
The Council is committed to negotiating with potential providers to refine the service specification and approach. Providers are invited to:
• Participate in a market engagement session to discuss service design and delivery. A session has been arranged for Tuesday 5th August 2025, from 1.30-3.30pm at the Civic Centre in Southampton. To register your interest in attending this event and receive further details of the venue please email:
procurement@southampton.gov.uk
There is a limit of two attendees per organisation. When registering your interest by email, please provide the name of your organisation, names of your attendees, and the primary reason for your interest in this event. Please also advise if there are any additional or accessibility requirements for your attendance.
Important Notice:
This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a call for competition, nor does it commit Southampton City Council to any particular procurement process or contract award.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 September 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Southampton City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCGN-2413-RBTX
Civic Centre, Civic Centre Road
Southampton
SO14 7LY
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ32 - Southampton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government