Scope
Reference
DN799329
Description
Sefton Council is inviting tenders for the delivery of comprehensive advocacy services designed to safeguard and promote the rights of vulnerable adults and children across the borough. This procurement seeks to establish an Advocacy Hub Model for adults (Lot 1) and a dedicated Advocacy Service for Cared for children and Care Experienced Young People (Lot 2) ensuring timely, effective, and impartial support for individuals navigating complex health, social care, and statutory systems.
Total value (estimated)
- £2,727,600 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2029
- Possible extension to 31 May 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Extension 1 : 1/6/2029 - 31/5/2030 award dependant on the availability of funding and satisfactory performance of supplier(s)
Extension 2 : 1/6/2030 - 31/5/2031 award dependant on the availability of funding and satisfactory performance of supplier(s)
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKD73 - Sefton
Lot 1. Advocacy Hub Model for adults
Description
1.3 Sefton Council intends to commission a new Advocacy Hub model under a three-year contract, with the potential to extend for up to two additional 12-month periods. The aim of this arrangement is to ensure that the voices of Sefton residents are heard, understood, and meaningfully considered in relation to local health and social care services. The Advocacy Hub will provide a coordinated, independent, and person-led advocacy service that empowers individuals to express their views, secure their rights, and influence decisions about their care and support.
Lot value (estimated)
- £2,337,600 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. Advocacy Service for Cared for children and Care Experienced Young People
Description
The aims of the Service are:
• To deliver a Children's Independent Visiting and Advocacy Service by providing Children and Young people with awareness of and access to services, which are their legal right
• To improve the quality of and increase access to Independent Visitors for looked after children and young people
• To support the National Independent Visiting Standards and carry out influencing work to increase access to quality Independent Visiting Services and advocacy support for children in Sefton and those placed out of borough
• To provide advice and information to Children and Young People so they are empowered to ensure their views and wishes are heard; their rights respected and reflected in the decision-making about their lives, in order to assist them in making a balanced decision regarding their welfare and support
• To provide an Independent Visitor to advise and befriend when considered to be in their best interests
Lot value (estimated)
- £390,000 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
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Advocacy Hub Model for adults
Lot 2. Advocacy Service for Cared for children and Care Experienced Young People
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
2 January 2026, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
9 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
27 February 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 95% |
| Social Value | Quality | 5% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Identified risks which could require changes to the agreement to accommodate are as follows:
1. Possible changes to legislation or policy which affect the statutory obligations of the Council and any other public sector body which may be collaborating with the Council in respect of the Contract
2. Fluctuations in demand for the service resulting from demographic changes and/or the availability of alternative methods of achieving the required outcomes recipients of the Services.
3. Fluctuations in demand resulting from changes in legislation for unrelated factors such as benefits entitlement for example which may impact on potential users of the Service(s)
4. The availability of funding and the level of competing demands for such funding.
5. Collaboration between other public sector bodies who may wish to source services via the contract or make their sourcing arrangements available to the Council.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://procontract.due-north.com/RFx/RFxSummary?rfxId=993023ed-2fd4-f011-813a-005056b64545&projectId=ee911e30-91cf-f011-813a-005056b64545
Technical specifications to be met
https://procontract.due-north.com/RFx/RFxSummary?rfxId=993023ed-2fd4-f011-813a-005056b64545&projectId=ee911e30-91cf-f011-813a-005056b64545
Contracting authority
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTHP-5656-DLCN
Bootle Town Hall
Bootle
L20 7AE
United Kingdom
Email: cdp@sefton.gov.uk
Website: http://sefton.gov.uk
Region: UKD73 - Sefton
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government