Scope
Reference
CWC23108
Description
City of Wolverhampton Council, Sandwell Children's Trust and Walsall MBC has jointly commissioned an advocacy service for children and young people in receipt of social care services: this includes looked after children, children in need and care leavers to meet their statutory obligation to provide such a service and to promote involvement of children and young people in care planning.
The service will provide an advocacy service for children and young people in receipt of social care services, no matter the type of setting in which they are placed, that empowers them to make sure that their rights are respected, and their views and wishes are heard at all times.
The provision will provide advocacy service to:
- Children and Young People in Care
- Care Leavers
- Children subject to a Child Protection Conference
- Family Help (including all children, Early Help and Children In Need)
- Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children who require an age assessment
- Children and Young People with disabilities
The service will operate in line with the Effective Advocacy for Looked-After Children, Children in Need and Care Leavers Statutory guidance for local authorities September 2023 and the National Standards for the Provision of Children and Young People's Advocacy Services September 2023.
Referrals to the Service will be made to the Service Provider by:
- Children or young people themselves if they are in receipt of social care services, or by children and young people with a disability receiving short breaks living with special educational needs and disability (SEND), or by any other person who does so with the knowledge and consent of the child or young person in care,
- Carer or professional in contact with child or young person meeting the children and young people in care criteria.
- Telephone, letter or personal contact.
The maximum total funding available for the delivery of this service is £945,000 including 2 years option to extend.
Contract 1. Black Country Advocacy for Children and Young People
Supplier
Contract value
- £945,000 excluding VAT
- £1,181,250 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
11 August 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
11 August 2025
Standstill period
- End: 21 August 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
29 August 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2030
- Possible extension to 30 September 2032
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
The contract has a built in extension period of up to 2(two) years.
The Council may, by giving written notice to the Supplier not less than six (6) Month(s) prior to the last day of the Initial Contract Period, extend this Contract on the same terms for a further period or further periods of up to a maximum of 2 (two) years in total.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKG37 - Sandwell
- UKG38 - Walsall
- UKG39 - Wolverhampton
Information about tenders
- 5 tenders received
- 5 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 4 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 4 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Supplier
CORAM VOICE (FORMERLY VOICE FOR THE CHILD IN CARE)
- Companies House: 3050826
41 Brunswick Square
London, England
WC1N 1AZ
United Kingdom
Email: Tenders@coramvoice.org.uk
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Black Country Advocacy for Children and Young People
Contracting authorities
Wolverhampton City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVBV-7568-LBLL
Civic Centre, St Peter's Square
Wolverhampton
WV1 1SH
United Kingdom
Region: UKG39 - Wolverhampton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJHD-8764-YRJJ
Sandwell Council House, Freeth Street
Oldbury
B69 3DE
United Kingdom
Region: UKG37 - Sandwell
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Walsall Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHGR-7481-DHXR
Civic Centre, Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1TP
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@walsall.gov.uk
Region: UKG38 - Walsall
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government