Kent County Council: Kent Carers Support Service (Lot 1 - East Kent)

Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

Kent County Council

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PLDL-8938-YGYW

Address:

Sessions House, County Road
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
UK

Contact name:

nathan sills

Email:

CPD-Peopleteam@Kent.Gov.UK

Telephone:

03000413728

Website:

https://www.kent.gov.uk/

Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Procedure type:

Competitive flexible procedure

Dynamic market OCID:

Not provided

Competitive flexible procedure description:

All tenderers are required to complete and submit both the PSQ and ITT in one tendering window.
The council will first evaluate each PSQ against the evaluation criteria. Only those that pass the PSQ stage will progress to have their ITT evaluated.

Preliminary market engagement conducted:

Yes

Dynamic market:

No

Special regime:

Light touch

Scope

Title:

Kent Carers Support Service (Lot 1 - East Kent)

Reference number:

CN250345

Main procurement category:

SERVICES

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

Description:

Not provided

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

Yes

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:

Name: Quality Questionnaire / Weighting:

Name: Pricing / Weighting:

Documents

Associated tender documents:

Not provided

Technical specifications:

Not provided

Submission

Enquiry deadline:

16/01/2026 Time: 12:00

Tender 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

Other information

Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation:

Not provided

Technical ability conditions of participation:

Not provided

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP):

Not provided

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA):

Not provided

A conflicts assessment has been prepared and revised:

Yes

Other organisations