Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 16 Mar 2026, 16:44 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Carers Support Service · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: Cornwall Council (Local council)

5 lotsServicesOpen procedureAbove thresholdLight touch regimeSME suitableVCSE suitable
Published estimate£20,149,267envelope for 5 lots · £20,149,267 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 26 Apr 2026awarded 10 Sept 2026
Awarded to Disability Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly +4 more5 awards
Contract term 3 yrsends 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensions · starts 1 Jul 2026

What is being bought5 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Cornwall Council commissioned Carers Support Services to provide information, advice, guidance and practical support to unpaid carers across Cornwall.

The procurement was structured into five lots:

Lot 1 - Core Carers Service

Lot 2 - Young Carers Service

Lot 3 - Parent Carer Specialist Advisor

Lot 4 - Mental Health Carer Specialist Advisor

Lot 5 - Specialist Dementia Service

This Contract Details Notice relates to the contracts awarded for Lots 2 to 5:

  • Lot 2 - Young Carers Service
  • Lot 3 - Parent Carer Specialist Advisor
  • Lot 4 - Mental Health Carer Specialist Advisor
  • Lot 5 - Specialist Dementia Service

These contracts commenced on 01 July 2026 and provide specialist support, information, advice and guidance to unpaid carers across Cornwall.

Lot 1 (Core Carers Service) was not awarded as part of the original procurement and was subject to a separate re-procurement process.

CPV: Health and social work services

Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure

5 lots · all with a published value (£20,149,267 together) · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Core Carers ServiceAwardedRenewal 3 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£11,901,965

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 (3 yrs) · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensionsValue: £11,901,965 exc. VAT · £11,901,965 inc. VAT
Delivery: South WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: an initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.
Lot #2Young CarersAwardedRenewal 3 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£2,068,865

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 (3 yrs) · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensionsValue: £2,068,865 exc. VAT · £2,068,865 inc. VAT
Delivery: South WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: an initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.
Lot #3Parent Carer Specialist AdvisorAwardedRenewal 3 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£514,631

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 (3 yrs) · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensionsValue: £514,631 exc. VAT · £514,631 inc. VAT
Delivery: South WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: an initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.
Lot #4Mental Health Carer Specialist AdvisorAwardedRenewal 3 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£514,631

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 (3 yrs) · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensionsValue: £514,631 exc. VAT · £514,631 inc. VAT
Delivery: South WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: an initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.
Lot #5Specialist Dementia ServiceAwardedRenewal 3 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£5,149,175

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 (3 yrs) · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensionsValue: £5,149,175 exc. VAT · £5,149,175 inc. VAT
Delivery: South WestEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: an initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.

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 · same split on all 5 lots
Quality: 60%Price: 25%Social value: 15%
Published award criteria (3)
  • Quality
  • Price
  • Social Value
Lot distribution rule: Suppliers may submit Tenders for one or more Lots. Each Lot will be evaluated independently unless otherwise stated. Where a Supplier submits bids for multiple Lots, the Council reserves the right to consider whether awarding multiple Lots to the same Supplier would deliver better overall value for money. This will be assessed transparently using the published evaluation methodology. If a Supplier is identified as the highest scoring for more than one Lot, Contracts will normally be awarded on a Lot-by-Lot basis. However, if the combined evaluation demonstrates that awarding multiple Lots to the same Supplier achieves best overall value for money, the Council may award multiple Lots to that Supplier. This approach will be applied consistently and in accordance with the published criteria.
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 25 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2.5 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

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
Awarded
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
16 Mar 2026, 16:44 GMT
Last source update
29 Sept 2026, 12:04 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 7 May 2026
Authority reference
DN774681
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-023726
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Health and social work services
Delivery area
South West (UKK3)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-066b85 Find a Tender
Contract terms summary

Invoices must be submitted in line with the Council’s standard invoicing procedures. The Council will pay the undisputed element of any invoice within 30 days of receipt. Disputed elements will be returned to the Supplier with an explanation.

Review and risk notes
Risks

Contract performance risks include:

  • financial viability of the service model;
  • readiness for mobilisation;
  • meeting statutory obligations and carers’ needs;
  • maintaining organisational stability;
  • sustaining required performance levels; and
  • meeting quality and regulatory requirements.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: ProContract (Due North) · Who buys & how to bid on ProContract
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · short registration with manual review; public opportunity list
Submission deadline
26 Apr 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
6 Apr 2026, 16:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

procontract.due-north.com ↗

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the ProContract portal.

Timeline

16 Mar 2026 → 29 Sept 2026 · 7 dates
  1. Tender notice published214 days ago
    16 Mar 2026, 16:44 GMT
  2. Clarification questions by193 days ago
    6 Apr 2026, 16:00 BST
  3. Submission deadline173 days ago
    26 Apr 2026, 12:00 BST
  4. Award decision expected by162 days ago
    7 May 2026, 23:59 BST
  5. Contract starts108 days ago
    1 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
  6. Assessment summaries sent30 days ago
    17 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
  7. Latest notice published17 days ago
    29 Sept 2026, 12:04 BST

Notice history

8 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 Mar 2026
  1. Tender notice published
    16 Mar 2026, 16:44 GMT
    UK4
  2. Contract signature expected
    3 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  3. Contract award notice published
    15 Sept 2026, 08:31 BST
    UK6
  4. Status changed to complete
    15 Sept 2026, 08:31 BST
  5. Contract award notice published
    15 Sept 2026, 12:59 BST
    UK6
  6. Contract award notice published
    17 Sept 2026, 15:59 BST
    UK6
  7. Contract details notice published
    29 Sept 2026, 12:04 BST
    UK7
  8. Contract signature expected
    30 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
Routine re-releases (5)
  • 2026-09: 1 release · 15 Sept 2026
  • 2026-03: 1 release · 16 Mar 2026

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 5
Awarded value £19,631,5065 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 103 from SMEs
Named bidders 4published on the award notice
Contracts signed 4latest 3 Jun 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Core Carers Service1 award
Disability Cornwall & the Isles of ScillyVCSE1 Nov 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033Extensions: An initial term of two (2) years and eight (8) months; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed six (6) years and eight (8) months.£11,384,20410 Sept 2026Awarded
Lot 2 · Young Carers1 award
Barnardo'sVCSE1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033Extensions: An initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.£2,068,86514 May 2026Awarded
Lot 3 · Parent Carer Specialist Advisor1 award
WHITEHEAD-ROSS SOCIAL WORK LTDSME1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033Extensions: An initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.£514,63114 May 2026Awarded
Lot 4 · Mental Health Carer Specialist Advisor1 award
Rethink Trading LimitedVCSE1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033Extensions: An initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.£514,63114 May 2026Awarded
Lot 5 · Specialist Dementia Service1 award
Alzheimer's SocietyVCSE1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033Extensions: An initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.£5,149,17514 May 2026Awarded

Contracts

  • Young Carers Service · Barnardo'sVCSE

    Signed
    3 Jun 2026
    Value
    £2,068,865
    Period
    1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    An initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.
    5 agreed KPIs: Young Carer Outcomes and Wellbeing · Identification and Reach of Young Carers · Timely Access to Support …
    • Young Carer Outcomes and Wellbeing, Young Carers report improved quality of life, health and wellbeing and experience positive outcomes through support received from the service.
    • Identification and Reach of Young Carers, Increase in the number of Young Carers identified, assessed and supported through outreach, engagement and targeted support activities.
    • Timely Access to Support, Number and percentage of Young Carers accessing support within four weeks of referral. Target: 95%.
    • Young Carer Needs Assessments, Increase in Young Carer Needs Assessments completed, including transition assessments for young adult carers requesting one.
    • System Integration and Collaboration, Effective multi-agency working, stakeholder satisfaction and involvement of Young Carers in service design and continuous service improvement. Target: 95%.
  • Specialist Dementia Service · Alzheimer's SocietyVCSE

    Signed
    3 Jun 2026
    Value
    £5,149,175
    Period
    1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    An initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.
    4 agreed KPIs: Completion of Carer's Needs Assessments within 28 days · Contact with Referrer/Carer within Required Timescales · Number of People Supported …
    • Completion of Carer's Needs Assessments within 28 days, Percentage of Carer's Needs Assessments completed within 28 days. Target: 90%.
    • Contact with Referrer/Carer within Required Timescales, Percentage of referrals contacted within 5 working days for Dementia Advisors and within 10 working days for Dementia Nurses. Target: 100%.
    • Number of People Supported, Minimum number of People Living with Dementia and carers supported through all forms of contact, including face-to-face and telephone support. Target: 2,000 people.
    • Carer Recognition and Satisfaction, Percentage of carers reporting a positive experience of the service.
  • Mental Health Carer Specialist Advisor · Rethink Trading LimitedVCSE

    Signed
    3 Jun 2026
    Value
    £514,631
    Period
    1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    An initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.
    5 agreed KPIs: Identification and Reach of Carers Support · Completion of Statutory Carer's Needs Assessments and Reviews within 28 Days · Timely Initial Contact …
    • Identification and Reach of Carers Support, Total number of Carers supported annually, broken down by age and caring types. Target: Annual target number as set out in the tender submission.
    • Completion of Statutory Carer's Needs Assessments and Reviews within 28 Days, Percentage of assessments and reviews completed within 28 days of being started. Target: 90%. Number of carers assessments and reviews completed. Target: 72 per year (Year 1 target of 48 pro rata from 1 November 2026).
    • Timely Initial Contact, Percentage of accepted referrals by triage priority receiving timely initial contact. Target: 95%.
    • Preventative Support (Carers can access Support), % of accepted referrals where Support begins within 28 days. Target: 95%.
    • Carer Recognition and Satisfaction, Percentage of carers reporting a positive experience of the Service. Target: 95%.
  • Parent Carer Specialist Advisor · WHITEHEAD-ROSS SOCIAL WORK LTDSME

    Signed
    3 Jun 2026
    Value
    £514,631
    Period
    1 Jul 2026 – 30 Jun 2029 · up to 30 Jun 2033 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    An initial term of three (3) years; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.
    5 agreed KPIs: Identification and Reach of Carers Support · Completion of Statutory Carer's Needs Assessments and Reviews within 28 Days · Timely Initial Contact …
    • Identification and Reach of Carers Support, Total number of Carers Supported annually broken down by age and caring types. Target: Annual target number to come from tender.
    • Completion of Statutory Carer's Needs Assessments and Reviews within 28 Days, Percentage of assessments and reviews completed within 28 days of being started. Target: 90%. Number of carers assessments and reviews. Target: 72 per year (Year 1 target of 48 pro rata from 1 November 2026).
    • Timely Initial Contact, Percentage of accepted referrals by triage priority. Target: 95%.
    • Preventative Support (Carers can access Support), Percentage of accepted referrals where Support begins within 28 days. Target: 95%.
    • Carer Recognition and Satisfaction, Percentage of carers reporting a positive experience of the service. Target: 95%.

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Core Carers Service3final-stage tenders · 9 at stage one23—
3 · Parent Carer Specialist Advisor3final-stage tenders12—
4 · Mental Health Carer Specialist Advisor3final-stage tenders03—
5 · Specialist Dementia Service1final-stage tenders01—

Who bid

Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Cornwall Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PYRH-9827-DWLP County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro, South West, TR13AYContact name, email, phone

Bidders & participating suppliers

7 commercial parties on the notice · 5 awarded
  • ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETYAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PBBQ-5879-LVVJ 43-44 Crutched Friars, London, London, EC3N 2AEContact email
  • BARNARDO'SAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PHTN-1518-HDWG Barnardo House, Barkingside , Ilford, London, IG6 1QGContact email
  • CORNWALL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LIMITEDBidder / tendererGB-COH: 04144745GB-PPON: PXMW-8869-TJWM The Penwith Centre, Penzance, South West, TR18 4BU
  • DISABILITY CORNWALL AND THE ISLES OF SCILLYAwarded supplierGB-COH: 07436153GB-PPON: PQDY-9583-RYYL Units 1g & H Guildford Road Industrial Estate, Hayle, South West, TR27 4QZContact email
  • RETHINK TRADING LTDAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PWDP-6442-MTGJ 28 Albert Embankment, London, London, SE1 7GRContact email
  • WESTBANK COMMUNITY HEALTH AND CAREBidder / tendererGB-COH: 06243811GB-PPON: PJZV-5681-YRCW The Healthy Living Centre, Farm House Rise, Exminster, South West, EX6 8AT
  • WHITEHEAD-ROSS SOCIAL WORK LTDAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PJTJ-8616-VQDY 52 St Mary Street, Weymouth, South West, DT4 8BJContact email

Official documents & specifications (14)

Official links; attachments are not copied

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