Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service

What the buyer is asking for

The Borough Council of Bolton ("the Authority") is looking to procure a contract for the Children's Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service. This Procurement is being conducted in accordance with the PA23 Act using the Open Procedure under Light Touch. The Services will be split into two service streams: Advocacy An advocacy service to be independent of the Authority to avoid perceived conflict of interest, with staff trained in all aspects of advocacy with high levels of legal literacy. Independent advocacy needs to account for all types of need up to 18 (25 care leavers). Independent Visitors Service A service for all children and young people who are looked after by the authority (LAC) who wish to have an Independent Visitor, promoted particularly for those who may be isolated, live outside of their local home area, or who have limited, or no, family contact.  The contract period will be for three (3) years with the option to extend for up to an additional two (2) x twelve (12) month periods. It is intended for the contract to commence 1 April 2027. The first service stream, being the Advocacy Service, shall mobilise 1 April 2027. The second service stream, Independent Visitors Service, shall mobilise and commence during Quarter 2 on 18 July 2027. Both service streams will end on 31 March 2030.

How this is scored

Published by the buyer. A winning response is written to these weightings, not to the question.

• 80%qualityQuality
• 20%qualitySocial Value

What you must already have

Conditions of participation. These are pass or fail, so check them before writing anything.

• Organisational standards Please confirm that your organisation is aware and abides by the National Standards for the Provision of Children's and Young People's Advocacy Services and the 2013.06.28-National-IV-Standards.pdf when intended to mobilise the service. Providers who answer 'NO' to this question, will not be considered any further. Office Location Please confirm you can you confirm you will have a Bolton Based office within the boundary of the borough with accessible links for staff and services users, and mobilisation of the contract for commencement date of 1 April 2027. Providers who answer 'NO' to this question will not be considered any further.

How contested is this?

Buyers publish how many bids they received. Across 693 comparable procurements we can tell you the typical field size, how often one of these goes uncontested, and whether the buyer awards on price or on quality.

Timeline

3 published dates · Europe/London

1. Tender notice published10 days ago

   27 Oct 2026, 17:03 GMT
2. Clarification questions byin 13 days

   19 Nov 2026, 16:00 GMT
3. Submission deadlinein 20 days

   26 Nov 2026, 16:00 GMT

Commercial outcome and contract awards

Nothing awarded yet

Notice history

2 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender

1. Pipeline or early engagement notice23 Sept 2026, 14:22 BST090172-2026
2. Tender notice27 Oct 2026, 17:03 GMT101771-2026

Documents

• biddingDocuments
• Tender notice on Find a Tender