Open tenders / Health & social care
Open tender · Notice 101771-2026
Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service
- Value
- £638k
- Closes
- 26 Nov 2026 (18 days)
- Where
- North West
- Lots
- 1
- Suitable for SMEs
- Not stated
- Contract
- 1 Apr 2027 – 31 Mar 2030
In plain English
Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council wants one provider to run an independent advocacy service for children and young people (up to 18, or 25 for care leavers) and an Independent Visitors service for looked-after children, in the North West. The contract runs three years from 1 April 2027, with options to extend by up to two further 12-month periods, and is estimated at £638,301.
Good fit for: Children's charities and social care providers experienced in independent advocacy and volunteer visitor or mentoring schemes for young people.
- Advocacy must be independent of the council
An advocacy service to be independent of the Authority to avoid perceived conflict of interest
- Staff need advocacy training and strong legal knowledge
with staff trained in all aspects of advocacy with high levels of legal literacy
Written with AI from the official notice. Check the notice before relying on it.
What the buyer says
The Borough Council of Bolton ("the Authority") is looking to procure a contract for the Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service. This Procurement is being conducted in accordance with the PA23 Act using the Open Procedure under Light Touch. The Services will be split into two service streams: Advocacy An advocacy service to be independent of the Authority to avoid perceived conflict of interest, with staff trained in all aspects of advocacy with high levels of legal literacy. Independent advocacy needs to account for all types of need up to 18 (25 care leavers). Independent Visitors Service A service for all children and young people who are looked after by the authority (LAC) who wish to have an Independent Visitor, promoted particularly for those who may be isolated, live outside of their local home area, or who have limited, or no, family contact. The contract period will be for three (3) years with the option to extend for up to an additional two (2) x twelve (12) month periods. It is intended for the contract to commence 1 April 2027. The first service stream, being the Advocacy Service, shall mobilise 1 April 2027. The second service stream, Independent Visitors Service, shall mobilise and commence during Quarter 2 on 18 July 2027. Both service streams will end on 31 March 2030.
Getting the documents
procontract.due-north.com (the buyer's own site, usually free to register).
Procedure: Below threshold - open competition (Open: anyone can bid (a lower-value contract with lighter rules)). Published 27 Oct 2026.
What similar contracts went for
Similar contracts went for £306k to £1.8m (9 since 2025; 8 won by small firms).
| Contract | Won by | Value | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children's Advocacy, Independent Visitors, independent people for Children and Adult Complaints and Secure Reviews (P-007452 / C-012099) Newcastle City Council | As per initial Award notice and subsequent Opening Awards SME | £1.8m | 21 Oct |
| ESCC - MA - Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors East Sussex County Council | Reconstruct (Children and Adult Services) Limited SME | £450k | 17 Sep |
| Children and Young People's Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service Cheshire East Council | Coram Voice SME | £738k | 4 Sep |
| Advocacy & Independent Visitor Service London Borough of Brent | Coram Voice SME | £398k | 3 Sep |
| Children and Young People Independent Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service Manchester City Council | Coram Voice (Formerly Voice for the Child in Care) | £696k | 28 Aug |
| Children's Rights Service - Advocacy and Independent Visitor Provision Derby City Council | Citizens Advice Mid Mercia SME | £389k | 27 Aug |
| IA3711 Children & Young People Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services Staffordshire County Council | ASIST. SME | £700k | 6 Jan |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service 2025 (LOT 1) Bristol City Council | Reconstruct (Children and Adult Services) Limited SME | £400k | 18 Sep |
| Advocacy and Independent Visitor Service 2025 (LOT 2) Bristol City Council | Reconstruct (Children and Adult Services) Limited SME | £306k | 18 Sep |
From the award notices on Find a Tender and Public Contracts Scotland. Values are as each notice states them and cover the contract's whole term: most notices give the value before VAT, but about one in seven gives only a figure including VAT. AI picked these as the same kind of work and can be wrong, so check what each one included before you price.
Similar open tenders
- My Ends 3.0 Programme · Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime · closes 11 Nov
- Reopening of Framework Agreement for Live-in Care (All-Ages), Complex Care (All-Ages) and Trusted Assessors for Spot Therapy and Clinical Psychology Provision for NHS Devon Integrated Care Board · NHS Devon Integrated Care Board · closes 11 Nov
- Distress Brief Intervention · North Lanarkshire Council · closes 11 Nov
- Sunderland Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) · NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board · closes 11 Nov
- Stop Smoking Medication Framework · West Northamptonshire Council · closes 11 Nov
Want tenders like this, matched to your firm?
Winnable emails the few new tenders that fit you each weekday, with the catch spelled out. £29/month after a 14-day free trial (no card needed).