Official UK procurement notice
Tender for Childrens Rights and Advocacy Services and Independent Visitors Service
Authority: Herefordshire Council (Local council)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionHerefordshire Council is inviting tenders for the provision of Childrens Rights and Advocacy Service and Independent Visitors Service.
The procurement is divided into two lots:
- Lot 1 - Childrens Rights and Advocacy Service
- Lot 2 - Independent Visitors Service
Bidders may submit a tender for one or both Lots depending on the services they are able to deliver and their capability and capacity to meet the requirements of the relevant Lot(s). The Council intends to appoint a maximum of one supplier for each Lot.
CPV: Health and social work services
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value (£1,330,000 together) · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Childrens Rights and Advocacy ServicesRenewalPublished value£959,000
Children's Rights and Advocacy Service for eligible children and young people accessing Herefordshire children's social care services. This includes children in need, children subject to child protection plans, children looked after, care leavers up to the age of 25 and 16/17-year-olds who are presenting as homeless.
Lot #2Independent Visitors ServiceRenewalPublished value£371,000
The delivery of the Independent Visitors Service for Care Experienced and Care Leavers of Herefordshire.
The Independent Visitor Service provides children and young people in care with access to a consistent, independent and trusted adult relationship that promotes their wellbeing, resilience and positive outcomes.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published award criteria (3)
- Quality
- Social Value
- Price
No conditions of participation were published on the notice; check the tender documents.
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- Turnover usually expected: about £148,319 – ~£383,390 per lot (twice each lot's annual value).
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula. Turnover is an indicative market norm (≈2× annual value), not a published condition.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
How Herefordshire Council buys Health and social work services (CPV 85), and who usually turns up
Herefordshire Council’s published record next to the market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are left out: they draw different bid counts. Whole-market view: Health and social work services (CPV 85) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Local means the winner is registered in the region where that award was delivered. The market figure counts awards delivered in West Midlands.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners were registered in the region where that award was delivered.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the bid deadline to the award date, on competitions that published both.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards have an award date within 34 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
Both shares are minimums: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Direct awards or one recorded bid are common here. Check the route before spending time on a bid.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid38% / 22%
2–338% / 31%
4–613% / 22%
7+13% / 26%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Below estimate17% / 34%
Within ±2%67% / 60%
Above estimate17% / 6%
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1Childrens Rights and Advocacy ServicesCPV 85Published estimate£959k
This lot lists more than one class in CPV 85. The comparison uses that group.
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid32%
2–344%
4–616%
7+8%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
Based on 246 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Middle 50%£925k–£959k
Estimate£959k
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONSIDE Independent AdvocacyEarlier contract | Invitation to Tender for the provision of Independent Advocacy Service for Adultsnotice published May 2021 | — | £1.0m | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Connexus Homes LimitedWorked for this buyer | Re-tender for the provision of Housing-Related Support Service for children in care and care leavers (16-25 years old) in Herefordshireruns to Feb 2029 | — | £2.7m | Similar wording and category |
| Family Care Associates LtdWorked for this buyer | Two Number 2 Bedded Childrens Residential Homes (Including Care Services) - Herefordshire Councilnotice published Jun 2024 | — | — | Similar wording and category |
| caring for communities and peopleWorked for this buyer | Tender for Accommodation based support service for children in care and care leavers aged 16-25notice published Apr 2025 | — | — | Similar wording and category |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £18m12 awards in 36m · last 6 months ago | 7 live · £5.0m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=5 | |
| £690m36 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 9 live · £270m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=16 | |
Barnardo'sLarge | £167m83 awards in 36m · last this month | 31 live · £87m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=38 |
| £13m13 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 5 live · £2.4m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=7 | |
| £1.8m8 awards in 36m · last this month | 4 live · £1.5m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 3% below n=8 |
Lot #2Independent Visitors ServiceCPV 85Published estimate£371k
This lot lists more than one class in CPV 85. The comparison uses that group.
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid32%
2–344%
4–616%
7+8%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
Based on 246 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Middle 50%£368k–£371k
Estimate£371k
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
| Supplier | This buyer’s earlier contract | Lot | Award value | Why listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONSIDE Independent AdvocacyEarlier contract | Invitation to Tender for the provision of Independent Advocacy Service for Adultsnotice published May 2021 | — | £1.0m | Matched as the earlier contract |
| Connexus Homes LimitedWorked for this buyer | Re-tender for the provision of Housing-Related Support Service for children in care and care leavers (16-25 years old) in Herefordshireruns to Feb 2029 | — | £2.7m | Similar wording and category |
| caring for communities and peopleWorked for this buyer | Tender for Accommodation based support service for children in care and care leavers aged 16-25notice published Apr 2025 | — | — | Similar wording and category |
| Family Care Associates LtdWorked for this buyer | Two Number 2 Bedded Childrens Residential Homes (Including Care Services) - Herefordshire Councilnotice published Jun 2024 | — | — | Similar wording and category |
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £18m12 awards in 36m · last 6 months ago | 7 live · £5.0m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=5 | |
| £690m36 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 9 live · £270m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=16 | |
Barnardo'sLarge | £167m83 awards in 36m · last this month | 31 live · £87m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=38 |
ACTION FOR CHILDRENLarge | £144m33 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 7 live · £8.2m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=17 |
| £1.8m8 awards in 36m · last this month | 4 live · £1.5m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 3% below n=8 |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the earlier-work matches are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Open for tender
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 1 Sept 2026, 15:13 BST
- Last source update
- 8 Oct 2026, 10:25 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 17 Nov 2026
- Authority reference
DN828381- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-088286- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06efbcFind a Tender
- Risks
During the contract term, changes to legislation, statutory guidance, regulatory requirements or National Standards may materially affect the service specification, delivery model, staffing requirements, reporting obligations or cost of delivery. The nature and extent of any such changes cannot be fully determined at the time of tender and may adversely affect satisfactory contract performance if they occur. The Contract may therefore require modification in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 should this known risk materialise.
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Submit via ProContract (Due North)- Requests to participate (first stage)
- —
- Tender submission deadline
- 30 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 19 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Herefordshire Council has published this contract opportunity on the 'Supplying the Southwest Portal' (project reference DN828381).
Interested parties are invited to review the tender documentation by registering on the portal (ProContract) and expressing an interest in the opportunity.
Please note that tenders must be submitted exclusively via the Procontract e-tendering portal at www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk ↗ by the closing date and time as indicated in the timetable. Submissions received by any other means will not be considered.
To register with ProContract on the Supplying the Southwest Portal, click on the link below or copy and paste the link into your browser's address bar: www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk ↗
Timeline
1 Sept 2026 → 1 Feb 2027 · 8 dates- Planning notice published55 days ago1 Sept 2026, 15:13 BST
- Next notice expected42 days ago14 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published39 days ago17 Sept 2026, 14:39 BST
- Latest notice published18 days ago8 Oct 2026, 10:25 BST
- Clarification questions by7 days ago19 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Today26 Oct 2026
- Submission deadlinein 4 days30 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected byin 22 days17 Nov 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 97 days1 Feb 2027
Notice history
7 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 1 Sept 2026- Planned procurement notice published1 Sept 2026, 15:13 BSTUK3
- Tender notice published17 Sept 2026, 14:39 BSTUK4
- Published value published: £1,330,00017 Sept 2026, 14:39 BST
- Status changed to active17 Sept 2026, 14:39 BST
- Deadline moved to 16 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST17 Sept 2026, 14:39 BST+4 days · was 12 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Tender notice published8 Oct 2026, 10:25 BSTUK4
- Deadline moved to 30 Oct 2026, 12:00 GMT8 Oct 2026, 10:25 BST+14 days · was 16 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
Published amendments (1)
The tender has been extended: Enquiry deadline: revised date and time, 19.10.26, 12 noon GMT Tender submission deadline: revised date and time, 30.10.26, 12 noon GMT
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender