Tender for Community Family Help Service for Children and Families in Herefordshire
Scope
Reference
DN832337
Description
Herefordshire Council is seeking to appoint a single provider to deliver a countywide Community Family Help Service for children, young people and families with multiple and/or complex needs who require Family Help support. The Service will provide targeted, relationship-based, whole-family interventions that promote resilience, improve outcomes for children and help prevent escalation into statutory services.
The successful Provider will act as a key delivery partner within Herefordshire’s Family Help model, providing Family Help Lead Practitioners, coordinating multi-agency support, undertaking Family Help assessments and plans, and working closely with statutory, community and voluntary sector organisations. The Service will support a minimum of 150 Family Help referrals and 30 Reducing Parental Conflict cases per annum and will include the delivery of partnership training to strengthen local practice.
The contract is expected to commence on 1 February 2027, with an initial mobilisation and implementation period prior to service commencement on 1 April 2027. The initial contract term will be three years, with an option to extend for up to a further two years. The procurement is being conducted under the Procurement Act 2023 using the Open Procedure and is subject to the Light Touch Regime.
The maximum available Contract Value for the core Community Family Help Service is £1,550,000 (excluding VAT) over the full potential 5-year term. Subject to demand, additional funding and internal governance, the Council may also purchase additional referrals and/or training up to a maximum value of further £1,650,000 (excluding VAT). These additional purchases are not guaranteed. The maximum potential Contract Value is therefore up to £3,200,000 (excluding VAT). Note the service is being partially funded by Department for Education Grants.
TUPE information:
TUPE is expected to apply to this contract, and bidders should ensure that the implications of TUPE, including the associated employment and cost implications, are fully considered and reflected in their tender.
Bidders must request access to the TUPE information well in advance of the tender closing date. To access the Employee’s information, bidders are required to complete and sign the Completion Document 5 (TUPE Confidentiality Letter Agreement) included within the tender pack, and return it via ProContact messaging system at www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk. The TUPE information will be provided following receipt of the completed agreement.
Bidders are responsible for ensuring that they request the TUPE information sufficiently early to enable them to take it into account when preparing their Tender. Failure to request or review the TUPE information will not relieve the successful Bidder of its obligations in relation to TUPE.
Total value (estimated)
- £3,200,000 excluding VAT
- £3,840,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 February 2027 to 31 March 2030
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 5 years, 2 months
Description of possible extension:
Extensions are subject to further internal governance, budget approvals and satisfactory Service Provider performance.
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Subject to demand, additional funding and internal governance, the Council may also purchase additional referrals and/or training up to a maximum value of further £1,650,000 (excluding VAT). These additional purchases are not guaranteed.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 – Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKG11 – Herefordshire, County of
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
4 November 2026, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
17 November 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Herefordshire Council has published this contract opportunity on the ‘Supplying the Southwest Portal’ (project reference DN832337).
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: https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 January 2027
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Price | Price | 40% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
The Council has identified the following known risks as risks which could affect the satisfactory performance of the Contract, but which because of their nature and uncertainty as to the impact or extent, cannot be fully addressed or quantified.
Where responsibility for such risks is not otherwise allocated within the Contract (including Change in Law or Force Majeure), these may give rise to lawful modifications in accordance with Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023, subject to the Variation Procedure.
Risks may include, but are not limited to:
• fluctuations in referral volumes and service demand;
• changes in legislation, statutory guidance or national policy;
• Changes to funding arrangements, including the level of funding, continuation and conditions of the funding available, including the Department for Education Grants
• Workforce and sector capacity challenges
Where such risks materialise, the Council may make modifications to the Contract, including adjustments to service scope, delivery model, capacity, performance requirements, or contract value, where necessary to maintain satisfactory performance. Any such modifications will be limited to what is necessary and will comply with statutory requirements, including value thresholds and transparency obligations.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Herefordshire Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDTG-2978-LHCN
Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane
Hereford
HR4 0LE
United Kingdom
Contact name: Ms Aksana Hironak
Email: commercialservices@herefordshire.gov.uk
Region: UKG11 – Herefordshire, County of
Organisation type: Public authority – sub-central government
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