Official UK procurement notice
Advocacy Services for Children, Young People & Adults
Authority: Plymouth City Council (Local council)
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionPlymouth City Council is seeking to commission a single integrated Advocacy and Independent Visiting Service for the residents of Plymouth, bringing together a range of statutory and non-statutory advocacy functions for adults, children, young people and families within one cohesive model of delivery.
The proposed integrated service is expected to include a range of functions, including:
Adult Advocacy Services, such as Care Act Advocacy, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA), Health and Social Care Complaints Advocacy, Court of Protection Representation and associated advocacy functions.
Children, Young People and Family Services, including advocacy for eligible children and young people, Independent Visitor Services, parental advocacy, and support linked to Plymouth's Families First Partnership Programme. For further information please see Supplying The South West Portal and search for Procurement opportunity DN834021.
CPV: Social work and related services
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value (£7,160,000 together) · evaluation weights differ by lotLot #1Children's Advocacy and Independent Visiting ServicesRenewalPublished value£2,400,000
For advocacy and Independent Visiting services for children and young people in Plymouth, this includes those involved with children's social care services, children in need, children subject to child protection processes, looked after children, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, care leavers, children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), young carers, young people in residential settings, young people in secure environments, those accessing health services who wish to make complaints, and young people who may require continued support during transition to adulthood. Also, providing advocacy for 16-17 young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Lot #2Adult Advocacy ServicesRenewalPublished value£4,560,000
For adults, the service will provide both statutory and non-statutory advocacy. Non-statutory advocacy supports adults and young people transitioning to adult social care who require assistance with social care, health and wellbeing matters. Statutory advocacy responsibilities include NHS Complaints Advocacy; Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA) and associated Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) representation under the Mental Capacity Act 2005; Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) under the Mental Health Act 1983; and advocacy duties arising from the Care Act 2014, including support for individuals who experience substantial difficulty in participating in assessment, care planning or safeguarding processes and have no appropriate person to represent them. Also, providing advocacy for parents navigating children's social care and child protection processes.
Lot #3Out-of-Area Advocacy Services for children and young people placed outside PlymouthRenewalPublished value£200,000
For advocacy and Independent Visiting services for children and young people placed outside of Plymouth, this includes those involved with children's social care services, children in need, children subject to child protection processes, looked after children, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, care leavers, children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), young people in residential settings, young people in secure environments, those accessing health services who wish to make complaints, and young people who may require continued support during transition to adulthood.
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).
Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.
| Lot | Quality | Price | Social value | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Children's Advocacy and Independent Visiting Services | 75% | 20% | 5% | |
| 2 · Adult Advocacy Services | 75% | 20% | 5% | |
| 3 · Out-of-Area Advocacy Services for children and young people placed outside Plymouth | 65% | 30% | 5% |
No conditions of participation were published on the notice; check the tender documents.
- Price carries 20–30 points depending on the lot; most lots put it at 20 points.
- Turnover usually expected: about £79,912 – ~£1,822,003 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 Plymouth City Council buys Social work and related services (CPV 8530), and who usually turns up
Plymouth City 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: Social work and related services (CPV 8530) →
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 South West England.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners were registered outside 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 87 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 bid17% / 12%
2–350% / 54%
4–60% / 19%
7+33% / 15%
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 estimate0% / 19%
Within ±2%100% / 81%
Above estimate0% / 0%
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 #1Children's Advocacy and Independent Visiting ServicesCPV 8530Published estimate£2.4m
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 bid20%
2–358%
4–612%
7+10%
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 10 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%£2.4m
Estimate£2.4m
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Appropriate Adult Service LimitedLive contract | APPROPRIATE ADULT SERVICE FOR young people aged 10 - 17 yearsruns to May 2029 | — | £104k | Matched as the earlier contract |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £6.1m10 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | 2 live · £704k 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=1 | |
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 | |
| £8.3m16 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 10 live · £2.8m 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 | |
| £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 #2Adult Advocacy ServicesCPV 8530Published estimate£4.6m
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 bid19%
2–359%
4–611%
7+11%
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 10 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%£4.6m
Estimate£4.6m
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Appropriate Adult Service LimitedLive contract | APPROPRIATE ADULT SERVICE FOR young people aged 10 - 17 yearsruns to May 2029 | — | £104k | Matched as the earlier contract |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £15m14 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 3 live · £9.2m 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=6 | |
| £7.8m12 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 4 live · £4.5m 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 | |
| £10m7 awards in 36m · last 8 months ago | 3 live · £6.9m 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 | |
POhWERLarge | £14m10 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 5 live · £6.3m 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=10 |
| £13m13 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 8 live · £8.9m 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=13 |
Lot #3Out-of-Area Advocacy Services for children and young people placed outside PlymouthCPV 8530Published estimate£200k
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 bid27%
2–356%
4–610%
7+7%
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 10 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%£200k
Estimate£200k
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Appropriate Adult Service LimitedLive contract | APPROPRIATE ADULT SERVICE FOR young people aged 10 - 17 yearsruns to May 2029 | — | £104k | Matched as the earlier contract |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £6.1m10 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago | 2 live · £704k 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=1 | |
| £8.3m16 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 10 live · £2.8m 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 | |
| £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 | |
Coram VoiceSME | £6.2m7 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 4 live · £3.0m 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=7 |
| £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 |
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
- 4 Sept 2026, 12:12 BST
- Last source update
- 23 Oct 2026, 17:56 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 29 Jan 2027
- Authority reference
PEO/25030- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-100761- Accelerated
- Light touch contract
- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f227Find a Tender
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Submit via ProContract (Due North)- Requests to participate (first stage)
- —
- Tender submission deadline
- 13 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 2 Nov 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk ↗
Please see opportunity DN834021.
Timeline
4 Sept 2026 → 1 Apr 2027 · 7 dates- Planning notice published50 days ago4 Sept 2026, 12:12 BST
- Market engagement24 days ago29 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
PURPOSE OF THE PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT
Plymouth City Council is seeking to commission a single integrated Advocacy and Independent Visiting Service for the residents of Plymouth, bringing together a range of statutory and non-statutory advocacy functions for adults, children, young people and families within one cohesive model of delivery.
The purpose of this engagement is to gather feedback from the market to support the co-design of the service specification. The event will provide an opportunity for providers and stakeholders to work collaboratively with the Council to shape the future service model, delivery approach and commissioning requirements, ensuring that the procurement delivers high-quality, legally compliant and person-centred advocacy and independent visiting services.
The proposed integrated service is expected to include a range of functions, including:
Adult Advocacy Services, such as Care Act Advocacy, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA), Health and Social Care Complaints Advocacy, Court of Protection Representation and associated advocacy functions.
Children, Young People and Family Services, including advocacy for eligible children and young people, Independent Visitor Services, parental advocacy, and support linked to Plymouth's Families First Partnership Programme.
The Council is particularly interested in exploring how specialist advocacy and independent visiting provision can be brought together within a single integrated model whilst maintaining the independence, expertise and statutory requirements associated with each function.
The event will be held via Microsoft Teams on 2 October 2026 ( Time TBC). To register your interest, please email [email protected] with "Market Engagement Event - Independent Visiting and Advocacy Services" in the subject line. please email by Tuesday 29th September 2026 by 15:00 / 3pm. Joining instructions will be provided following registration.
The opportunity is on Suppling The South West Portal please search for opportunity ID DN828401.
- Tender notice published1 day ago23 Oct 2026, 17:56 BST
- Today24 Oct 2026
- Clarification questions byin 10 days2 Nov 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Submission deadlinein 20 days13 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected byin 98 days29 Jan 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 159 days1 Apr 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
6 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 4 Sept 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published4 Sept 2026, 12:12 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published23 Oct 2026, 17:56 BSTUK4
- Published value updated to £7,160,00023 Oct 2026, 17:56 BSTwas £5,000,000
- Status changed to active23 Oct 2026, 17:56 BST
- Procurement method changed23 Oct 2026, 17:56 BST
- Deadline published: 13 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT23 Oct 2026, 17:56 BST
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 (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender