Medway Council: All Age Service Substance Misuse

Contracting Authorities

Contracting authority:

Medway Council

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PWYH-3898-LDQR

Address:

Gun Wharf, Dock Road
Chatham
ME4 4TR
UK

Contact name:

Mr Graham Thomas

Email:

graham.thomas1@medway.gov.uk

Telephone:

Not provided

Website:

Not provided

Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Procedure type:

Open procedure

Preliminary market engagement conducted:

Yes

Special regime:

None

Scope

Title:

All Age Service Substance Misuse

Reference number:

Not provided

Main procurement category:

SERVICES

Description:

Medway Council looking to commission an effective, accessible and equitable All-Age Drugs and Alcohol Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Service. The service will support children, young people and adults to access full range of interventions (including harm-reduction, clinical and psychosocial treatment, one to one and group support, outreach, recovery services and education).
A comprehensive Health Needs assessment has highlighted gaps in the local system, including challenges in transitions between young people’s and adult services, unmet need in both children and adults, the need for trauma informed approaches to engagement and treatment and co-production and lived experience informed service delivery. Whilst improvements have been made within the existing contract term, Medway wishes to commission a fully integrated all-age model that will remove barriers between services and ensure smooth transitions for service users.
Currently, young people’s and adult substance misuse services operate as separate contracts, commissioned at different times and under different arrangements. This new commissioning arrangement is a major step towards aligning contracts, pathways, governance and workforce under single lead provider model as Medway develops its full all age service.
The core principles for the new contract are focused on:
•Tailored, Person-Centred and Age-Appropriate Care
•Prevention and Early Intervention
•Recovery-Focused Support
•Accessible and Flexible Services
•Partnership and Integrated Working
•Lived Experience and Co-Production
•Safeguarding and Safety
•Evidence-Based Innovation and Accountability
•Staff Wellbeing and Development
The Provider will also be required to deliver a successful Individual Placement Support (IPS) programme, ensuring people using the service have access to evidence-based employment support to help them gain and sustain meaningful employment as part of their recovery journey.
The All-Age Treatment, Prevention and Recovery contract will run for an initial term of 36 months, with the option for two further extensions of 24 months each, subject to mutual agreement.

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 18/09/2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR.’

Written representation can be made to graham.thomas1@Medway.gov.uk

This is an Existing service with an existing Provider.

The contract award criteria are specified in the procurement documents.

Award Decision Makers:
Claire Hurcum, Senior Public Health Manager, claire.hurcum@medway.gov.uk
Svajune Ulinskiene, Health Improvement Programme Manager, svajune.ulinskiene@medway.gov.uk
Steve Chevis, Head of Public Health Programmes, steve.chevis@medway.gov.uk
Aeilish Geldenhuys, Public Health Principal and Strategic Head of Public Health Programmes, aeilish.geldenhuys@medway.gov.uk

No Conflicts of interest.

Key criteria summary

SECTION 1: Quality and Innovation (25%)
The provider demonstrated a comprehensive, high-quality service model that incorporates prevention, treatment, recovery and employment support within an integrated all-age framework. The submission clearly described governance arrangements, leadership responsibilities, clinical oversight, safeguarding and auditing processes, providing confidence in the safe and effective delivery of services. The model detailed clearly described the interventions delivered across all ages and stages of recovery. This included: seven-day clinical and outreach offer, flexible support pathways, self-help and digital interventions, and tailored support for individuals across different age groups and needs.
The provider evidenced a strong commitment to innovation through the use of lived experience in service design and delivery, dedicated innovation/learning approaches, and peer-led initiatives. Innovation was specific to Medway and embedded into staff performance and development. The proposal demonstrated how continuous improvement, collaboration with partner organisations, workforce development and evidence-based practice would be used to enhance outcomes and ensure services remain responsive to emerging needs.

SECTION 2: Integration, collaboration and service sustainability (25%)
The provider presented a clear and credible approach to integrating services across the local treatment and recovery system. The proposal demonstrated strong partnership working with statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations. Including arrangements to support children and young people, transitions between services, coordinated care planning, and co-located delivery models designed to improve access and referral pathways.
The provider placed lived experience at the centre of service development and recovery support, with a strengthened peer mentoring model, recovery-focused community activities and mechanisms for ongoing service improvement informed by service users. Effective approaches to continuity of care, workforce development and succession planning were evidenced, including clear pathways for individuals with lived experience to progress into training, volunteering and employment opportunities. The overall model demonstrated a sustainable approach to service delivery, informed by data, and a person-centred "team around the person" approach.

SECTION 3: Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice (20%)
The provider outlined a flexible service offer delivered through multiple community locations, outreach provision, digital interventions, blended face-to-face and online support, and clinical model. Particular consideration and examples were given to engage underserved populations and ensuring services are taken to where people are.
The provider evidenced a trauma-informed, person-centred approach that takes account of the wider determinants of health and the needs of priority groups. The service model included targeted outreach, women-only provision, collaborative working with partner organisations and mechanisms to reduce barriers to access. Living expertise was embedded throughout service design, delivery, research and evaluation, along with willingness to work with a LERO for independent reviews. The provider also demonstrated a strong commitment to using qualitative and quantitative data to monitor performance, address inequalities (with links to Marmot principles) and continuously improve outcomes for local communities. The provider also gave assurance of transparency through the use of live data systems and dashboards that provide up-to-date performance information.

Social Value 5% - The provider has set out social value commitments in accordance with the Council's Social Value requirements.

Price 20% - The provider confirmed delivery of the service within the financial envelope.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=1055364277

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/respond/ZM39584FUJ

Total value (estimated):

GBP 26,011,695 excluding VAT

GBP 31,214,034 including VAT

Contract value:

GBP 31,214,034 including VAT

Contract Details

Title:

Not provided

Reference number:

Not provided

Contract value:

GBP 31,214,034 including VAT

Below the relevant threshold:

No

Award decision date:

25/08/2026

Earliest date the contract will be signed:

16/10/2026

Contract dates (estimated):

01/04/2027 to 31/03/2030

Main procurement category:

SERVICES

CPV classifications:

85100000 - Health services.

Delivery regions:

UKJ41 - Medway

Assessment summaries sent:

08/09/2026

Supplier

Supplier:

THE FORWARD TRUST

Companies House:

PVQZ-9622-VCHG

Address:

Unit 106, Edinburgh House, 170 Kennington Lane
London
SE11 5DP
UK

Email:

development@forwardtrust.org.uk

Telephone:

Not provided

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME):

No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE):

No

Supported employment provider:

No

Public service mutual:

No

Other organisations