Scope
Reference
063638- EC09/01/3620
Description
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.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032
- Possible extension to 31 March 2036
- 10 years
Description of possible extension:
1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032
Possible extension to 31 March 2036
10 years total contract length
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKJ32 - Southampton
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 September 2025
Enquiry deadline
1 November 2025, 11:59pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
15 November 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
All tender activity will be conducted via the Proactis Supplier Portal: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
15 December 2025
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
The Council intends to follow the below steps within the Competitive Flexible Procedure:
Stage One: Conditions of Participation
Stage Two: Dialogue
Stage Three: Tender
The Council reserves the right to add or amend any of the above-named steps throughout the Procurement process in accordance with Section 24 of The Procurement Act 2023.
Documents
Associated tender documents
SEAS Market Engagement Q and A August 25.pdf
Please see attached the market engagement Question and Answer document from the event held on 5th August 2025- please direct any further questions about this procurement to Procurement@southampton.gov.uk
SEAS Market Engagement Presentation.pptx
Please see attached the market engagement presentation from the event held on 5th August 2025- please direct any further questions about this procurement to Procurement@southampton.gov.uk
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Additional responses to Questions will be uploaded via this Notice before the tendering period.
Further documentation relating to this Procurement during the tendering period will be published on the Proactis Supplier Portal: https://supplierlive.proactisp2p.com/Account/Login
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