Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 28 Jul 2025, 10:49 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Independent Scrutineer of Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP)

Official notice

Authority: Northumberland County Council (Local council)

ServicesBelow threshold - open competitionBelow thresholdSME suitable
Published estimate£60,000≈ £30k / year · £72,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 1 Aug 2025awarded 29 Oct 2025
Awarded to Better Together Safeguarding Services
Contract term 2 yrsends 31 Aug 2027 · up to 31 Aug 2028 with extensions · starts 1 Sept 2025

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Northumberland County Council would like to commission a provider to undertake the role of Independent Scrutineer of the Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP). This is a mandatory role. This provider must be able to provide independent scrutiny and rigorous constructive challenge to support the Statutory Safeguarding Partners and Relevant Agencies to fulfil their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults with needs for care and support. The role includes providing assurance regarding the effectiveness of local multi-agency arrangements in Northumberland with a particular focus on practice and supporting inclusion of the voice of children and adults in decision making and assurance. The NCASP Executive group, Business groups and subgroups meet at quarterly schedules, and the Independent Scrutineer will be required to provide scrutiny and challenge across the Partnership, hold partners to account, and have an independent view of effectiveness of both children and adults safeguarding arrangements.

CPV: Administrative services of agencies · Social work and related services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1AwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEPublished value£60,000
Contract period: 1 Sept 2025 – 31 Aug 2027 (2 yrs) · up to 31 Aug 2028 with extensionsValue: £60,000 exc. VAT · £72,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North EastEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Optional extension available.

What it takes to win
i

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 more
How bids were scored

Lot awarding rule: 20% Cost 80% Quality

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Below threshold - open competition
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Below threshold
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
28 Jul 2025, 10:49 BST
Last source update
18 Dec 2025, 09:48 GMT
Authority reference
NCC1659
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-043346
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Administrative services of agenciesSocial work and related services
Delivery area
North East (UKC21)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0566c7 Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: OPEN-UK
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowed
Access & registration note: Free
Submission deadline
1 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
1 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

www.open-uk.org ↗

To view this opportunity you will need to register on the OPEN E-procurement portal.

When registered, please search for the tender title NCC1659 Independent Scrutineer of Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP)

Timeline

28 Jul 2025 → 18 Dec 2025 · 5 dates
  1. Tender notice published
    28 Jul 2025, 10:49 BST
  2. Clarification questions by
    1 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
  3. Submission deadline
    1 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
  4. Contract starts
    1 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
  5. Latest notice published306 days ago
    18 Dec 2025, 09:48 GMT

Notice history

3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 28 Jul 2025
  1. Tender notice published
    28 Jul 2025, 10:49 BST
    UK4
  2. Contract details notice published
    18 Dec 2025, 09:48 GMT
    UK7
  3. Status changed to complete
    18 Dec 2025, 09:48 GMT

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £60,0001 contract exc. VAT
Contracts signed 1latest 29 Oct 2025
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Better Together Safeguarding ServicesSME£60,000 †—Awarded

Contracts

  • INDEPENDENT SCRUTINEER OF NORTHUMBERLAND CHILDREN AND ADULTS SAFEGUARDING PARTNERSHIP · Better Together Safeguarding ServicesSME

    Signed
    29 Oct 2025
    Value
    £60,000
    Period
    1 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2027 · up to 31 Oct 2029 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Maximum period of 1 year and a minimum period of 30 days, by giving to the Supplier no less than 30 days' written notice prior to the contract end date. Two 12 month extension periods available.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Northumberland County Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PJJX-1133-JRGV County Hall, Morpeth, North East, NE61 2EFContact name, email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender