Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

Medway Council

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PWYH-3898-LDQR

Address:

Gun Wharf, Dock Road
Chatham
ME4 4TR
UK

Contact name:

Mr Graham Thomas1

Email:

graham.thomas1@medway.gov.uk

Telephone:

Not provided

Website:

Not provided

Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Procedure type:

Below threshold - open competition

Dynamic market:

Not provided

Tenders received:

0

Tenders assessed:

0

Tenders from SMEs:

0

Tenders from VCSEs:

0

Special regime:

Light touch

Scope

Title:

Parenting Support Service

Reference number:

Not provided

Main category:

SERVICES

Description:

Medway Council is seeking to commission a Parenting Support Service as part of the Best Start in Life (BSiL) programme, aimed at improving outcomes for children in the early years.
The overarching aim of the service is to provide accessible, evidence-based parenting support and training to families, with a particular focus on increasing the likelihood of children achieving a good level of development at the end of Reception.

The service will deliver a blended model of universal and targeted support, combining community-based provision with more intensive home-based interventions.
Delivery will include:
•Community outreach and engagement, including regular stay-and-play sessions in wellbeing centres and other local venues
•A visible presence at community events to promote access and engagement
•Home visiting support, including both self-referral and Early Help pathways
•Support for parents to address wider determinants of health, working in partnership with the wider BSiL network to reduce health inequalities
•Early identification of perinatal mental health (PMH) and parent-infant relationship (PIR) needs, with appropriate signposting and referrals

The service will also play a key role in building community capacity through:
•Recruitment, training and coordination of volunteers to support home visiting and group-based interventions
•Delivery (in partnership with Parenting Workers) of evidence-based interventions, such as Incredible Years or other approved programmes
•Collaboration with Best Start in Life partners, including Best Start in Life Practitioners (BSIPs), to support families where there may be emerging SEND needs

This service will replace and integrate elements of current provision, including the Universal Parenting Programme and volunteer-led home visiting services, creating a more cohesive and outcomes-focused model of support for families.
•The Council is seeking a provider with the capability to deliver a high-quality, integrated service, working collaboratively across the system to improve early childhood outcomes and reduce inequalities.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1044990545

Total value (estimated):

GBP 500,000 excluding VAT

GBP 600,000 including VAT

Contract dates (estimated):

01/12/2026 to 31/03/2029

CPV classifications:

85000000 - Health and social work services.

85323000 - Community health services.

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services.

Delivery regions:

UKJ41 - Medway

Participation

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

Yes

Engagement

Engagement deadline:

14/07/2026

Engagement status:

The engagement has not yet been carried out.

Engagement process description:

Medway Council Public Health is preparing to commission a parenting service and is seeking to engage with the market ahead of the formal procurement process.

We invite prospective providers to attend an online Market Engagement Event:

•Date: Tuesday 14th July 2026
•Time: 13:00-14:00
•Location: Microsoft Teams - - Please copy and paste the following into your internet address bar, URL bar to join the meeting –
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/398431779167120?p=wQrfTllK2yOwlkWOhc


Purpose of the event:
•Share an overview of the service model being commissioned
•Outline the anticipated procurement process and indicative timelines.
•Provide an opportunity for prospective providers to ask questions.
•To seek feedback from the market to help shape the service model and specification
•To highlight key considerations, including TUPE implications and service integration expectations
•To outline the process of writing a successful tender


Who should attend:

Organisations with experience in delivering parenting support, early years and family services including:
•Providers of evidence-based parenting programmes
•Organisations delivering early help, family support, or home visiting services
•VCSE organisations with experience of community outreach and volunteer-led provision
•Providers with expertise in perinatal mental health, parent-infant relationships, or early childhood development
•Experience recruiting, training and mobilising volunteers


How to attend:

Please confirm your attendance via the following Forms link. If you are unable to attend on the date but would like to know more please indicate this in the form- https://forms.office.com/e/N4mtDrF6Nb


Please log into the meeting via the Teams link provided

Important note:
This event is for information and engagement purposes only.
This event is subject to governance approval processes.
Attendance does not confer any advantage in the subsequent procurement process.

Submission

Other organisations

Not provided