UK-Maidstone: Social work and related services.

Scope

Description: Background to the Re-Procurement of Lot 1 – East Kent Carers Support Service:
Kent County Council previously undertook a procurement process for the Kent Carers Support Service under a two-lot structure (Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04fe04):

Lot 1 – East Kent (Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Thanet, Folkestone and Hythe.)
Lot 2 – West Kent (Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells and Swale.)

Following that process, Lot 2 was successfully awarded and is ready for implementation, while Lot 1 (East Kent) was not awarded.

This new procurement exercise is focused solely on Lot 1 – East Kent, with the aim of appointing a provider to deliver a comprehensive Carers Support Service in this area. The service will ensure unpaid carers have access to information, advice, practical assistance and short breaks to maintain their health and wellbeing.

Important Note: Both Lot 1 and Lot 2 will become operational at the same time under the new contractual arrangements, ensuring consistency and alignment across Kent.

Scope:
Kent County Council are seeking to re-procure a Kent Carers Support Service which is aimed at supporting unpaid carers within the county. This new service will replace two current services; The Carers Community Navigation Service and Carers Short Breaks service.

Key Areas of Service Delivery:

Building from the Kent Adult Carers Strategy the following key areas of service delivery have been identified for the Kent Carers Support Service:

i) Identifying and Recognising Carers, including Seldom-Heard Carers

ii) Empowering Carers: information, advice and training in ways that they can understand

iii) Prevention and Wellbeing especially for lifestyle risk factors, mental health and information and advice

iv) Support for Young Carers' Transition to Adulthood

v) Carers Assessment

vi) Carers Breaks

vii) Emergency Breaks

viii) Carers Personal Budgets

The full requirement will be available within the Specification, which will be made available when the Tender opportunity goes live.

The Service will be delivered by a lead provider for East Kent and a Lead provider for West Kent. The two lead providers will need to work in partnership to ensure there is a seamless service that is equitable across Kent.

There will be one Lot for each geographical area and the same service provider cannot deliver both Lots.

The estimated value is the maximum available budget for Lot 1.

Please read through the Invitation To Tender (ITT) Letter and associated documentation for all information relating to this procurement.

Any quantities, dates or values shown within this notice, and any relevant documentation are estimated, and the Council gives no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any such quantities, dates and values.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Maidstone:-Social-work-and-related-services./JH63V38M3M

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/JH63V38M3M

Total value (estimated):

GBP 23,522,800 excluding VAT GBP 28,227,360 including VAT

Description

Contract dates (estimated)
01/08/2026 to 31/07/2029
CPV Classifications:
85300000 - Social work and related services.

Contract can be extended:
Yes

Extension Date:
31/07/2033

Delivery regions:
UKJ4 Kent

Award criteria:
Quality criterion - Name: Quality Questionnaire / Weighting:
Quality criterion - Name: Pricing / Weighting:

Submission

Enquiry deadline: 16/01/2026 Time: 12:00Tender submission deadline: 30/01/2026 Time: 16:30
Submission address and any special instructions: https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/.
An electronic auction will be used: No
Languages that may be used for submission: English, Award decision date (estimated): 30/04/2026

Procedure

Procedure type: Competitive flexible procedure

Contracting authority

Kent County Council, PLDL-8938-YGYW
Sessions House, County Road, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ, United Kingdom
Tel. 03000413728, Email: CPD-Peopleteam@Kent.Gov.UK
Contact: nathan sills
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.kent.gov.uk/

Organisation type: REGIONAL_AUTHORITY
Devolved regulations that apply: None