✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 6 Oct 2026, 21:41.
Opportunity overview
The Essex Carers Hub (formerly the Essex Carers Core Offer of Support (ECCOS)).
Essex County Council ("the Council") is committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable and preventative services that improve outcomes for residents and reduce inequalities. The Essex Carers Hub ("the Service") will support these ambitions by ensuring unpaid carers are identified early, recognised, valued and able to access timely support that promotes their wellbeing, resilience and independence. Through partnership working and a strengths-based approach, the Service will help carers improve or maintain their quality of life and prevent the escalation of need wherever possible.
The Council is seeking a Provider, or lead provider working with delivery partners, to deliver the Essex Carers Hub, a countywide carers specialist support service that improves the wellbeing, resilience and quality of life of unpaid carers aged 18 and over. The Service also includes a counselling offer for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers under the age of 18 who are referred by Essex Youth Service.
For the purposes of this tender a Carer is defined as follows;
"A person who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who could not manage without that support due to illness, frailty, disability, mental health need, substance misuse or other support needs. All the care they give is unpaid. A carer can be a young carer (under the age of 18) or an adult carer (over the age of 18). That is ordinarily resident in the Council's administrative area"
The following services are in scope of this procurement;
- Specialist Information Advice and Guidance
- Coaching and Counselling
- Peer Support Groups
- Wellbeing grants (ordinarily up to £300)
- Training and Learning Offer
- Single Point of Contact
- Employment support (2 year pilot)
Please note that authority for carers assessments and personal budgets will still remain with the Council.
The services shall be available to Carers resident within the administrative area of Essex County Council, but will have the scope to be expanded to the administrative areas of Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council.
Following feedback from Carers and the market, the contract is being tendered as a single contract rather than being divided into lots. Carers have expressed a preference for a consistent and co-ordinated service, with clear accountability and minimal disruption. This approach would support continuity of service as it is expected that carers will access more than one of the service elements at any one time, as well as clearer communication and a consistent approach to meeting Carer needs.
Please note the contract value includes circa £500k per year available for the provision of the Wellbeing Grants that will be administered by the Provider.
Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): It is anticipated, that during the life of this contract/framework, the LGR process will commence and/or progress potentially impacting this contract/framework. Impacts may include, but are not limited to, modifications such as a transfer of the legal entity you currently contract with, significant increases and/or decreases in the value/volume of goods/services/works required due to the change in size/scope of the Contracting Authority, and/or changes to the scope of the nature of goods/services/works required.
Reduction in scope: Potential reduction in the available budget may require re-prioritisation of deliverables and reduction or removal of some Services.
This is a single tender round undertaken in three (3) stages.
The first stage will be the Conditions of Participation and the Procurement Selection Questionnaire (PSQ) (Section A). Bidder responses that meet the published criteria will progress to the next stage. Bidder responses that do not meet the published criteria will be eliminated from process and not progress to the second stage.
The second stage is the Invitation to Tender (ITT) Technical Response questions. In this stage Bidders will be required to respond to a number of technical questions. Responses will be assessed on a scale of 0-5 and bidders will be required to achieve a minimum of score of 2 out of 5 for questions 1-7 and achieve a minimum average score of 3 across questions 1-7. The two highest scoring responses at this stage will progress to the third stage. Bidders whose responses do not achieve a minimum of score of 2 out of 5 for questions 1-7, do not achieve a minimum average score of 3 across questions 1-7 and are not the 2 highest scoring bidders will not progress to the third stage.
The third stage is a case study response that will be delivered face to face. Bidder's whose responses meet the criteria at the second stage will be invited to County Hall in Chelmsford, Essex on 2 December 2026 to present a response to a case study that will be provided on the day. The scores for bidder responses that were successful at this stage will be weighted and combined with their scores from the second stage to determine an overall quality score. This will be combined with their their Social Value score and price score to determine their overall score.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right to refine the award criteria prior to the time limit for receipt of tenders.
Special regime
lightTouch
Covered By
GPA
Submission terms
Electronic Submission Policy
notAllowed
Languages
en
Tender Period
Ends
10 Nov 2026, 12:00
Enquiry period
Ends
3 Nov 2026, 23:59
Expected award period
Ends
4 Jan 2027, 23:59
Lots and requirements
Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Has Options
Yes
Value
Including VAT
12,500,000
Currency
GBP
Award criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
price
Name
Price
Numbers
Entry 1
Number
40
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 2
Type
quality
Name
Quality
Numbers
Entry 1
Number
50
Weight
percentageExact
Criterion 3
Type
quality
Name
Social Value
Numbers
Entry 1
Number
10
Weight
percentageExact
Selection criteria
Criteria
Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
The Bidder must have in place, or commit to obtain prior to award of the contract, the following insurance cover to the values stated below in respect of any one claim or series of claims arising out of one incident,
Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = £5,000,000
Public Liability Insurance = £10,000,000
Professional Indemnity Insurance = £500,000
If the Bidder is a commercial organisation subject to the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, they must confirm that they are fully compliant of the act before award of the contract.
The Bidder must not have had any finding of unlawful discrimination been made against your organisation by an Employment Tribunal, an Employment Appeal Tribunal or any other court (or in comparable proceedings in any jurisdiction other than the UK).
The Bidder must not have been convicted of breaching environmental legislation, or had any notice served upon it, in the last three years by any environmental regulator or authority (including local authority).
The Bidder must have a Health and Safety Policy that complies with current legislative requirements.
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
The Bidder must be able to submit invoices and receive orders electronically.
The Bidder must have a named manager within their organisation, who has a demonstrable knowledge of safeguarding policy and who is responsible for safeguarding at the highest level.
The Bidder must have a current safeguarding policy that has been reviewed in the last two years, and has the following in place as a minimum standard:
A strategic and/or corporate plan that references safeguarding vulnerable adults and children,
- Adequately apportioned resources to meet safeguarding responsibilities;
- Clear lines of accountability for staff through the organisation to named safeguarding person/s;
- Systems in place to embed safeguarding across all commissioned/contracted services;
- The organisation has a safeguarding adults/child policy and procedure in place that provides clear guidance on how to recognise and respond to abuse and is easily accessible and regularly updated;
- Details of when to report to social care/police and timelines involved;
- Guidance for staff, who work with your people or vulnerable adults with disability (where applicable)
- Policies for transporting young people or vulnerable adults where required;
- Specifically for care of young people (residential/fostering), guidance for staff/carers regarding the management of the risk of sexual exploitation, young people missing from care, and how to manage bullying behaviour including social networking sites;
- E-safety policies and procedures are in place for adults/young people/children and staff;
- There is a complaints policy and procedure in place;
- 'Whistle Blowing' procedures for staff to raise safeguarding concerns against colleagues or managers are clearly understood and correctly followed where required;
- There is a procedure in place for managing abuse of vulnerable adults/child protection allegations made against staff. Including situations where the actions of an individual in their personal life may indicate that their behaviour could be a risk of harm to children they work with e.g. perpetrators of domestic violence, neglect or abuse of their own children;
- For those aged 16 and over the organisation can demonstrate that consideration of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA)
- For those aged 18 and over the organisation can demonstrate that consideration of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is an integral part of relevant decision making and the safeguarding process.
The Bidder must have a current safe recruitment policy which includes:
- Evidence that the policy is up to date and covers how to recruit safely for staff who have contact with children/vulnerable adults and which follows ECC/LSCB/LSAB recruitment standards;
- Human Resources and recruiting staff follow safe recruitment practices that demonstrate appropriate checks are carried out before staff are employed and induction and appraisal systems are in place;
- Policies on when Disclosure and Barring Service checks are necessary;
- Adherence to the Disclosure and Barring Service Referral process;
- Requirement for job applications and interviews to be completed and recorded (face to face interviews). Verification of identify and qualifications, which can be evidenced by audit activity;
- Professional and character references are obtained (requirement for 2 references);
- Previous employment history is checked. Any anomalies or discrepancies are taken up;
- Induction and supervision procedures are in place. The organisation has procedures to manage and record positive disclosures on DBS checks;
- The organisation has procedures in place state when cases should be referred to the DBS;
- The organisations audits/quality assures its recruitment practice;
- The organisation can demonstrate that agencies commissioned to provide services have safer recruitment in place;
- Safer recruitment standards are embedded in those contracts, and adherence to these standards is checked as part of the contract management process.
The Bidder must have a safeguarding training programme in place and that training is accessed by all those who have a role in recruitment staff who will have contact with children/families/vulnerable adults. In addition, please confirm that training is systematically evaluated and reviewed and impact outcomes used to improve future training programmes.
- Safeguarding is mandatory and covered effectively within inductions for all staff who will have contact with children/families/vulnerable adults. It should cover familiarisation with safeguarding responsibilities and how to recognise and respond to possible abuse or neglect;
- The induction includes the awareness of the complaints and "whistle blowing" procedures;
- Training includes temporary/agency staff;
- All members of staff who have contact with children/families/vulnerable adults have completed their safeguarding induction within the appropriate timescale;
- There is effective supervision and support for staff engaged in safeguarding children/families/vulnerable adults work;
- Safeguarding learning and development opportunities are provided to all staff at a level appropriate to their role;
- The organisation ensures that all safeguarding training is suitable quality assured;
- Learning from Serious Case Reviews (SCRs), Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) and other safeguarding reviews and audits are disseminated and acted upon effectively;
- The organisation responds to and learns from national and local developments and guidance relating to safeguarding children/vulnerable adults.
Bidders are required to outline their organisation's management structure with specific details of management levels, experience, qualifications and length of service of the principal managers which have enabled them to undertake similar services. This should include qualifications of staff delivering the counselling, learning and development and employment support.
Bidder are required to identify the resources you routinely draw on which have enabled you to undertake or provide similar requirements, clearly indicating internal and external resources (e.g. sub-contracting, equipment, facilities, recruitment, work placement or apprenticeship schemes, volunteers, employment of people with learning difficulties etc.)
The Bidder must have in place or commit to obtain prior to award of the contract a license to use the Carers Star.
Suitability
Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes
Contract period
Starts
4 May 2027, 00:00
Ends
31 Mar 2030, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2032, 23:59
Renewal
Description
The Council may serve such extension notice(s) on as many occasions as it shall think fit provided that the duration of such extensions shall not in total exceed twenty-four (24) calendar months from the third anniversary of the Service Commencement Date.
Options
Description
The scope and geographical coverage of the Service may be expanded during the Contract Period. This may include, but is not limited to, the incorporation of additional support for Young Carers, Young Adult Carers or other carer cohorts, the provision of Carer Assessments and the delivery of services within the administrative areas of Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council.
Any expansion will be subject to the availability of funding, commissioning intentions and any required contractual variations.
3 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
3 VERSIONS
1
071181-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
2
076985-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
3
094482-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
Essex County Council is seeking one provider, or a lead provider with delivery partners, to run a countywide specialist support hub for unpaid carers. The service covers adult carers aged 18+ and counselling for under-18 young carers and young adult carers referred by Essex Youth Service.
Who this may suit
Suitable for organisations able to deliver an integrated, countywide carers support service across advice, counselling, peer support, training, grants administration and employment support. A single-provider/lead-provider model is required; supplier eligibility requirements are not stated.
Key points identified
Delivery modelOne provider or a lead provider working with delivery partnersEvidence: “The Council is seeking a Provider, or lead provider working with delivery partners”
Service coverageIntegrated carers support hub including advice, coaching/counselling, peer groups, wellbeing grants, training, single point of contact and employment supportEvidence: “The following services are in scope of this procurement” followed by the listed service elements.
Adult carer cohortUnpaid carers aged 18 and overEvidence: “a countywide carers specialist support service that improves the wellbeing, resilience and quality of life of unpaid carers aged 18 and over.”
96% approved-analysis confidence8 supplier criteria identified4 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
Essex County Council is seeking one provider, or a lead provider with delivery partners, to run a countywide specialist support hub for unpaid carers. The service covers adult carers aged 18+ and counselling for under-18 young carers and young adult carers referred by Essex Youth Service.
Who this may suit
Suitable for organisations able to deliver an integrated, countywide carers support service across advice, counselling, peer support, training, grants administration and employment support. A single-provider/lead-provider model is required; supplier eligibility requirements are not stated.
Key deliverables
Specialist information, advice and guidance
Coaching and counselling
Peer support groups
Administration of wellbeing grants, ordinarily up to £300
Training and learning offer
Single point of contact
Employment support two-year pilot
Counselling for eligible under-18 referrals from Essex Youth Service
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
8 criteria identified
Delivery model
99% confidence
One provider or a lead provider working with delivery partners
View supporting evidence
“The Council is seeking a Provider, or lead provider working with delivery partners”
Service coverage
99% confidence
Integrated carers support hub including advice, coaching/counselling, peer groups, wellbeing grants, training, single point of contact and employment support
View supporting evidence
“The following services are in scope of this procurement” followed by the listed service elements.
Adult carer cohort
99% confidence
Unpaid carers aged 18 and over
View supporting evidence
“a countywide carers specialist support service that improves the wellbeing, resilience and quality of life of unpaid carers aged 18 and over.”
Under-18 counselling cohort
99% confidence
Young Carers and Young Adult Carers under 18 referred by Essex Youth Service
View supporting evidence
“The Service also includes a counselling offer for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers under the age of 18 who are referred by Essex Youth Service.”
Wellbeing grant administration
98% confidence
Administer wellbeing grants ordinarily up to £300
View supporting evidence
“Wellbeing grants (ordinarily up to £300)” and “£500k per year available for the provision of the Wellbeing Grants that will be administered by the Provider.”
Service-user residency
96% confidence
Carers ordinarily resident in Essex County Council's administrative area
View supporting evidence
The carer definition states they are “ordinarily resident in the Council's administrative area”.
Potential geographic expansion
97% confidence
Service may be expanded to Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council administrative areas
View supporting evidence
“The services shall be available to Carers resident within the administrative area of Essex County Council, but will have the scope to be expanded” to Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
Supplier eligibility criteria
99% confidence
Unknown
View supporting evidence
No supplier financial, technical, legal, insurance, location or organisation-size eligibility criteria are provided.
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Estimated total value
98% confidence
Up to £12,500,000
View supporting evidence
Opportunity value maximum and Lot 1 value are stated as GBP 12,500,000.
Currency
99% confidence
GBP
View supporting evidence
Opportunity and lot value currency is GBP.
Wellbeing grants funding
98% confidence
Circa £500,000 per year, included within the contract value
View supporting evidence
“the contract value includes circa £500k per year available for the provision of the Wellbeing Grants”.
Contract term and payment terms
99% confidence
Unknown
View supporting evidence
No contract start/end dates, duration or payment terms are supplied.
Delivery
Delivery geography
98% confidence
Essex countywide, with potential expansion to Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
View supporting evidence
The service is described as “countywide”; the notice states it is for Essex residents with scope to expand to Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
Service integration
99% confidence
Single coordinated contract covering all service elements
View supporting evidence
The Council states the contract is tendered “as a single contract rather than being divided into lots” to support a consistent, coordinated service.
Carer assessments and personal budgets
99% confidence
Remain the responsibility of Essex County Council
View supporting evidence
“authority for carers assessments and personal budgets will still remain with the Council.”
Delivery commencement
99% confidence
Unknown
View supporting evidence
No contract start date is supplied.
PROCEDURE
How to respond
Opportunity status
99% confidence
Open
View supporting evidence
Display status is “open” and source status is “active”.
Procedure
99% confidence
Competitive flexible procedure
View supporting evidence
Procurement method details are stated as “Competitive flexible procedure”.
Notice type
99% confidence
Tender notice on Find a Tender
View supporting evidence
Notice type is stated as “Tender notice on Find a Tender”.
Submission deadline
99% confidence
10 November 2026, 12:00 UTC
View supporting evidence
Submission deadline is 2026-11-10T12:00:00Z.
Lots
99% confidence
Single contract; not divided into lots
View supporting evidence
“the contract is being tendered as a single contract rather than being divided into lots.”
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
Single-provider accountability
94% confidence
The single-contract model requires the appointed provider or lead provider to coordinate all service components and any delivery partners.
View supporting evidence
The Council is tendering a single contract and permits a lead provider working with delivery partners.
Grant administration exposure
96% confidence
The provider will administer circa £500,000 annually in wellbeing grants, creating governance and controls requirements that are not detailed in the supplied notice.
View supporting evidence
The notice says circa £500k per year for wellbeing grants will be administered by the Provider.
Potential service-area expansion
95% confidence
Delivery may expand beyond Essex into Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock; the operational and commercial mechanism is not stated.
View supporting evidence
The notice says the service has scope to expand to these administrative areas.
Contract term unknown
99% confidence
The supplied data does not state the contract duration or commencement date.
View supporting evidence
Contract start and end fields are null and no duration is described.
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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