Scope
Reference
139
Description
Advocacy Services
Lot 1 - All Age Advocacy Provision
Lot 2 - Independent Health Complaints
Total value (estimated)
- £1,300,000 excluding VAT
- £1,560,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Option to extend for two additional one year periods, subject to service demand.
The contract price will be fixed for the initial three year period with potential uplifts in years four and five subject to budget availability and approval.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKD41 - Blackburn with Darwen
Lot constraints
Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for: 1
Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 1
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Lots may be awarded to the same or different suppliers
Lot 1. All Age Advocacy Provision
Description
Provision of Advocacy Services to All Ages
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,200,000 excluding VAT
- £1,440,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Independent Health Complaints
Description
Provision of Independent Complaints Advocacy for NHS Complaints
Lot value (estimated)
- £100,000 excluding VAT
- £120,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. All Age Advocacy Provision
Lot 2. Independent Health Complaints
None
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. All Age Advocacy Provision
Lot 2. Independent Health Complaints
None
Particular suitability
Lot 1. All Age Advocacy Provision
Lot 2. Independent Health Complaints
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
15 December 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
31 December 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
All submissions must be done so via the Chest portal
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
26 January 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Method Statements | Quality | 85.00% |
| Social Value | Quality | 15.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
Invoices to be submitted prior to payment, payment made quarterly.
Description of risks to contract performance
Key risks/issues
1. Political Risks
Policy changes: Shifts in government priorities (e.g. funding focus, devolution, or centralisation of advocacy provision) could affect long-term sustainability or service scope.
Local government restructuring: Changes in local authority boundaries or budgets may disrupt commissioning or alter responsibilities.
Stakeholder alignment: Differing agendas between local authorities, NHS bodies, and third-sector partners could create conflicts in service design or funding.
Public sector funding cuts: Political pressure to reduce spending could limit available budgets for advocacy services.
2. Economic Risks
Budget constraints: Reduced funding for public services can lead to under-procurement, affecting service quality and capacity.
Inflation and cost of living: Rising operational costs (e.g., staffing, travel, training, technology) could make delivery less viable within fixed contracts.
Market instability: If few providers exist, or if smaller charities merge or close, procurement competition and resilience decrease.
Value for money challenges: Balancing quality advocacy with affordability may pressure providers to reduce staff pay or training.
3. Social Risks
Changing demographics: Growing elderly population, complex needs, and increasing mental health concerns across all ages could drive demand beyond capacity.
Inequalities in access: Risk that certain groups (e.g., people with learning disabilities, children, ethnic minorities, rural residents) might be underserved.
Public awareness: Low awareness of advocacy rights can lead to underuse or inconsistent referrals.
Workforce challenges: Recruiting and retaining skilled advocates, particularly in rural or high-cost areas, may be difficult.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=d744b708-aace-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument
Method Statements for Lot 1
https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=d68017c7-adce-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument
Method Statements for Lot 2
https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=d23035d9-adce-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument
All Age Advocacy Pricing Schedule
https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=775649eb-adce-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument
Independent Health Complaints Pricing Schedule
https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=b14946fd-adce-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument
ITT Document
https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=80e46f0f-aece-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument
PSQ Document
https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=8679a31b-aece-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument
Service Specification
https://procontract.due-north.com//FileUploads/ViewAttachment?attachmentId=641ae233-aece-f011-813a-005056b64545&entityTypeId=b5c83c15-39cd-480e-b232-0e94cac4b464&attachmentTypeId=FtsDocument
Advocacy Services Contract
Contracting authority
Blackburn with Darwen
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYGR-1856-CVXM
10 Duke Street
Blackburn
BB2 1DH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Hollie Pearson
Email: hollie.pearson@blackburn.gov.uk
Website: http://www.blackburn.gov.uk/
Region: UKD41 - Blackburn with Darwen
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government