Official UK procurement notice
2701EARABO - Early Help and District Leads
Authority: Birmingham Children's Trust
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionBirmingham Children's Trust Community Interest Company (the "Trust") is seeking to appoint one or more organisations to deliver the Early Help and District Leads service across Birmingham. The Procurement Process will be conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and the Procurement Regulations 2024. The Services fall within the Light Touch regime and the Trust will conduct the Procurement using a Competitive Flexible Procedure.
The service will work alongside Trust colleagues, Family Hub networks, statutory partners, schools and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector to provide accessible and timely support to children and families.
The model will take a strengths-based approach, recognising and building on the skills, knowledge, networks and assets already present within Birmingham’s communities. It will place children, families, trust, collaboration and co-design at the centre of delivery, while maintaining clear accountability and consistent outcomes across the city.
Providers will be expected to:
- work effectively with grassroots organisations, established VCFSE providers, schools, Family Hubs, statutory partners and community networks;
- identify, connect and develop local community assets and routes to support;
- provide accessible support from community-based locations, including arrangements that enable a child or family to access the service from an appropriate location rather than being restricted solely by their home district;
- demonstrate how local responsiveness will be combined with a consistent citywide offer, shared standards and effective partnership governance; and
- evidence outcomes, learning and continuous improvement throughout the Contract.
The contract is intended to commence on 1 April 2027 for an initial period of three years, with an option to extend for up to a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance, funding availability and the terms of the Contract.
The Competitive Flexible Procedure has been designed as a two-stage process, enabling the Trust to assess different proposed delivery models at Stage 1 before progressing selected Participant(s) and delivery approach(es) to a detailed Final Tender.
The Procurement will comprise:
Stage 1 – Conditions of Participation and Initial Tender
Participants must submit:
- Appendix A – Participation Response Document: Conditions of Participation;
- Appendix B – Safeguarding Questionnaire;
- Appendix C – Economic and Financial Standing Assessment; and
- Document 002 – Initial Tender Response Document.
The Trust will first assess the applicable Conditions of Participation on a Pass/Fail basis. Participants satisfying the mandatory Conditions of Participation will then have their Initial Tender evaluated against the published Stage 1 evaluation criteria.
The Initial Tender quality questions will be scored. The applicable question weightings and progression requirements are set out in Document 002.
Stage 1 - Proposed delivery model and outcomes – 30%
Stage 1 - Geographical coverage and local capability – 20%
Stage 1 - Governance, collaboration and accountability – 15%
Stage 1 - Capability, workforce and high-level mobilisation – 15%
Stage 1 - Financial sustainability and affordability – 15%
Stage 1 - Key risks and development required for Stage 2 – 5%
Stage 1 scores will be used to determine progression to the Final Tender Stage (Stage 2) and will not contribute to the final contract award score.
Stage 2 – Final Tender
Participants invited to progress will be issued with the Final Tender Procurement Documents, including Document 003 – Final Tender Response Document and the Final Financial Schedule.
- How the procedure runs: The Competitive Flexible Procedure has been designed as a two-stage process, enabling the Trust to assess different proposed delivery models at Stage 1 before progressing selected Participant(s) and delivery approach(es) to a detailed Final Tender. The Procurement will comprise: Stage 1 – Conditions of Participation and Initial Tender Participants must submit: • Appendix A – Participation Response Document: Conditions of Participation; • Appendix B – Safeguarding Questionnaire; • Appendix C – Economic and Financial Standing Assessment; and • Document 002 – Initial Tender Response Document. The Trust will first assess the applicable Conditions of Participation on a Pass/Fail basis. Participants satisfying the mandatory Conditions of Participation will then have their Initial Tender evaluated against the published Stage 1 evaluation criteria. Stage 1 will assess the proposed delivery model, geographical coverage, governance and collaboration arrangements, capability and workforce, high-level mobilisation, financial sustainability and key risks. The Stage 1 evaluation will determine which Participant(s) and delivery approach(es) progress to the Final Tender Stage. Stage 1 scores will be used solely to determine progression and will not contribute to the Final Tender evaluation or Contract award score. Stage 2 – Final Tender Participants invited to progress will be issued with the Final Tender Procurement Documents, including Document 003 – Final Tender Response Document and the Final Financial Schedule. The Final Tender Stage will assess the detailed and binding delivery solution, including implementation and mobilisation, workforce and safeguarding, governance and partnership arrangements, performance and outcomes, Social Value and the Financial Model and Value for Money. Final Tenders will be evaluated in accordance with the published Final Tender evaluation methodology. The Trust intends to award the Contract to the Most Advantageous Tender, subject to satisfaction of the applicable requirements and final due diligence.
CPV: Community action programme · Social services · Social work and related services · Social work services · Welfare services for children and young people · Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£12,500,000
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 sub-criteria (3)
- Stage 2 - Quality: 70%
- Stage 2 - Price: 20%
- Stage 2 - Social Value: 10%
Published award criteria (3)
- Stage 2 - Quality
- Stage 2 - Social Value
- Stage 2 - Price
No conditions of participation were published on the notice; check the tender documents.
- Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- Turnover usually expected at this size: about £8,325,730 (twice the 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 Birmingham Children's Trust buys Social work services (CPV 8531), and who usually turns up
Birmingham Children's Trust’s own published record, next to the published market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are kept out: they attract a different number of bids. Whole-market view: Social work services (CPV 8531) →
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.
No small-firm winners recorded among this authority’s published awards in this sample.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Here, local means registered in West Midlands.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners are registered in West Midlands.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the deadline to the first award notice, on competitions that published both dates.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards were announced within 18 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.
The market share is a minimum: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Missing bid counts may hide more single-bid awards. This share is a minimum.
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 bid0% / 21%
2–314% / 29%
4–643% / 29%
7+43% / 21%
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 estimate28%
Within ±2%72%
Above estimate0%
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 #1CPV 8531Published estimate£13m
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 bid23%
2–328%
4–640%
7+9%
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 27 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%£11m–£13m
Estimate£13m
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VICTIM SUPPORTWorked for this buyer | Domestic Abuse Support Servicesruns to Sept 2029 | — | £649k | Similar wording and category |
| Barnardo'sWorked for this buyer | Autism Support Serviceruns to Mar 2027 | — | £587k | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
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 |
VICTIM SUPPORTLarge | £87m28 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 11 live · £20m 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 |
| £488m17 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 9 live · £372m 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=15 | |
| £74m14 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 17 live · £137m 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 | |
Family ActionLarge | £25m38 awards in 36m · last 1 months ago | 21 live · £22m 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=12 |
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
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Requests to participate open
- 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
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 19 Oct 2026, 21:58 BST
- Last source update
- 19 Oct 2026, 21:58 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 15 Jan 2027
- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-098725- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-078b4eFind a Tender
- How it runs
The Competitive Flexible Procedure has been designed as a two-stage process, enabling the Trust to assess different proposed delivery models at Stage 1 before progressing selected Participant(s) and delivery approach(es) to a detailed Final Tender.
The Procurement will comprise:
Stage 1 – Conditions of Participation and Initial Tender
Participants must submit:
- Appendix A – Participation Response Document: Conditions of Participation;
- Appendix B – Safeguarding Questionnaire;
- Appendix C – Economic and Financial Standing Assessment; and
- Document 002 – Initial Tender Response Document.
The Trust will first assess the applicable Conditions of Participation on a Pass/Fail basis. Participants satisfying the mandatory Conditions of Participation will then have their Initial Tender evaluated against the published Stage 1 evaluation criteria.
Stage 1 will assess the proposed delivery model, geographical coverage, governance and collaboration arrangements, capability and workforce, high-level mobilisation, financial sustainability and key risks. The Stage 1 evaluation will determine which Participant(s) and delivery approach(es) progress to the Final Tender Stage.
Stage 1 scores will be used solely to determine progression and will not contribute to the Final Tender evaluation or Contract award score.
Stage 2 – Final Tender
Participants invited to progress will be issued with the Final Tender Procurement Documents, including Document 003 – Final Tender Response Document and the Final Financial Schedule.
The Final Tender Stage will assess the detailed and binding delivery solution, including implementation and mobilisation, workforce and safeguarding, governance and partnership arrangements, performance and outcomes, Social Value and the Financial Model and Value for Money.
Final Tenders will be evaluated in accordance with the published Final Tender evaluation methodology. The Trust intends to award the Contract to the Most Advantageous Tender, subject to satisfaction of the applicable requirements and final due diligence.
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Submit via In-tend- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 23 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Tender submission deadline
- 23 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 6 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
The Council will be using its free to use e-tendering system (in-tend) for the administration of this procurement process and potential suppliers must register with the system to be able to express an interest. If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity please click on the following link to access in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc/ ↗ and submit your details to register. You will then be sent details on how to log on which will enable you to download all relevant Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation.
If you are unable to register with In-tend or have any questions or problems on how to use this web site please either email us at: [email protected]
Your completed tender submission should be returned by noon on 23rd November 2026 via the ‘in-tend’ system in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc ↗
Timeline
19 Oct 2026 → 1 Apr 2027 · 5 dates- Tender notice published1 day ago19 Oct 2026, 21:58 BST
- Today21 Oct 2026
- Clarification questions byin 16 days6 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Submission deadlinein 33 days23 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected byin 87 days15 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 162 days1 Apr 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender- Tender notice published19 Oct 2026, 21:58 BSTUK4
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 (1)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender