Carers Support Service Lot 1 Retender

Cornwall Council, in partnership with NHS Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, is inviting tenders for the delivery of the Core Carers Service within Lot 1 of its Carers Support model. The procurement focuses on a place‑based, preventative, all‑age, family‑focused service that will be embedded through Carer Advisors who work directly with Integrated Neighbourhood Teams to provide community‑based support for unpaid carers. The service aims to keep carers well, sustain their caring role, and give them timely access to information, advice and holistic support within their own local communities.

The successful supplier will take responsibility for leading the strategic development, coordination and integration of the entire Carers Support offer across Cornwall. Working in close collaboration with commissioned specialist services, the provider will ensure continuity of care, enable carers to seek help before crises arise, and foster a sense that carers of every age are recognised, valued and fully supported. The contract is set to commence on 1 November 2026 and will allow for extensions up to a maximum term of seven years, subject to council discretion.

The service must be implemented in accordance with the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams framework and adhere to all relevant local health and social care standards.

Cornwall Council, together with NHS Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB), is inviting tenders for the delivery of the Core Carers Service (Lot 1) across Cornwall.
This procurement relates solely to Lot 1 of the Carers Support Service. Lots 2–5 have been commissioned separately and are not part of this opportunity. This follows a previous procurement exercise in which Lot 1 was not awarded, and the Authority has refined and clarified its requirements.
The Core Carers Service forms part of a wider Carers Support model and will deliver an all-age, family focused, place-based and preventative service. The service will provide community-based support through Carer Advisors aligned to Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, supporting unpaid Carers to maintain their wellbeing, sustain their caring role, and access timely information, advice and support within their local communities.
The successful Supplier will be responsible for leading the strategic development, coordination and integration of the overall Carers Support offer, and will work collaboratively with commissioned specialist services to deliver an integrated service across Cornwall.
The service will contribute to key outcomes including enabling Carers to access support before crisis, improving access to information and support, ensuring continuity of care, and supporting Carers of all ages to feel recognised, valued and supported.
The estimated annual contract value is approximately £1.55 million, with a maximum total value of approximately £11.4 million over the full contract term including extensions. The contract will commence on 01 November 2026.
This procurement is being conducted under the Procurement Act 2023 (Light Touch regime) using the open procedure. Tender documents are available via the ProContract e-tendering portal.
Interested Suppliers should register on the portal to access the full tender documentation and submit a response.

Contract location: UKK3
Communication: https://procontract.due-north.com
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Enquiry deadline: 2026-07-09T16:00:00+01:00
Submission address and any special instructions: https://procontract.due-north.com
Tenders may be submitted electronically: allowed
Award decision date (estimated): 2026-08-12T23:59:59+01:00
Recurring procurement:
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 2032-10-01T23:59:59+01:00

Lot number: 1
Lot value (estimated)
11.384.204,00 GBP excluding VAT
11.384.204,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: an initial term of two (2) years and eight (8) months; and an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further two (2) years; and following the exercise of that first option, an option for the Council to extend the Term by a further one (1) year; and following the exercise of that second option, an option for the Council to extend the term by a further one (1) year. Any extension of the initial term is at the sole discretion of the Council and the maximum term of the Contract will not exceed seven (7) years.