Procurement description
Derbyshire County Council (the Council) is seeking Providers with a proven track record to deliver a social prescribing and youth outreach service for Children and Young People (CYP) in Derbyshire (excluding Derby City). This service is being procured under the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Act 2023.
The services will provide community based support that promotes positive mental wellbeing by engaging with CYP, building trust and helping them to improve self-esteem and confidence. They will provide initial engagement and early, preventative support and will complement, rather than duplicate, existing youth services and early help services.
The services will operate as a key component of the wider system of emotional wellbeing and early help support for CYP across Derbyshire.
Bidders may submit tenders as a single organisation, as a consortium, or as a lead Provider working with subcontractors and/or delivery partners. Bidders can bid for a single Lot or both Lots.
Both services will commence on 01 April 2027 for an initial contract period of three (3) years to 31 March 2030, with an option to extend for a further two (2) 12-month periods (3+1+1), subject to performance, funding availability and the Council's requirements. The maximum potential contract term is five (5) years. There will be a mobilisation period from early December until the contract service commencement date of 01 April 2027.
Lot 1 - The total countywide financial envelope for this service is £4 million over 5 (five) years.
Lot 2 - The total countywide financial envelope for this service is £2.5 million over 5 (five) years.
Prospective tenderers should note that this contract may be affected by Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), anticipated to take place in April 2028. In accordance with Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023, this contract may be novated to a successor Council or otherwise modified to reflect the requirements of any new Council arrangements arising from LGR. The exact nature of any modification or novation cannot be determined at this time, but such changes will be managed under both the Procurement Act 2023 and the contractual provisions.
Ahead of these changes, discussions with Derby City and District and Borough representatives are ongoing and there is a shared commitment to work together to align future mental health provision as much as practicable.