West Northampton – Baselining and reshaping the adult social care ‘Front Door’

The Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA) is seeking a contractor to support West Northamptonshire Council in remodelling and strengthening its adult social care “front door” through an evidence-informed review of current arrangements.

The project will examine how residents, families and professionals currently access adult social care through the Contact Centre and web portal, with the aim of identifying opportunities to improve access to advice, information and support while embedding prevention, strengths-based practice and community connections.

The successful contractor will be expected to establish a baseline of the current position by examining:

• Who is undertaking work across the current front door arrangements and how these services are experienced.
• Data relating to who is, and is not, accessing the Council, including routes into services and significant cohorts based on volume and value.
• Opportunities to develop an effective adult social care front door that embeds prevention and strengths-based approaches.

The contractor will be required to analyse the findings and produce a baseline assessment of the current model. Drawing on evidence of good practice from elsewhere, the final report should identify opportunities for improvement, including potential quick wins to expand access to information, advice and guidance, alongside longer-term recommendations. Examples may include technology solutions, staffing configurations, workforce skills development and partnership working.

As a minimum, the successful provider must deliver a final report setting out the baseline findings and clear recommendations. The format and presentation of reporting will be agreed during the project.

Mandatory requirements include demonstrated experience in:

• Data analysis.
• Business process engineering.
• Co-production and user experience or user-led design.
• Developing and facilitating sessions with people who receive care and support.
• Understanding councils’ responsibilities under the Care Act.
• Adult social care front door models and sector good practice.
• Communicating effectively with a range of audiences through written and verbal formats.

Tender submissions are also required to describe their proposed project approach and delivery plan, identify key project risks and mitigation measures, and explain what they consider to be a successful outcome for the project.

Contract Information

Buyer – Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA)

Deadline – 10 August 2026, 5:00pm

Contract Value – £16,250 excluding VAT (£19,500 including VAT)

Delivery Length – 19 August 2026 to 31 October 2026

Tender Link – Click here

Evaluation Criteria

Tenders will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Quality – 90%
  • Capability – 30%
  • Relevant Skills and Experience – 30%
  • Delivery Methodology – 20%
  • Ability to Deliver Within the Set Timescale – 10%
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – 10%
• Price – 10%

Procurement Procedure

The procurement will be conducted as a below-threshold open competition.

The opportunity is reserved for UK suppliers and is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).

This project reflects West Northamptonshire Council’s commitment to strengthening access to adult social care through evidence-based service redesign, with a focus on prevention, early intervention and improving residents’ experience of the adult social care front door.

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If you want to advertise your opportunity, please contact Jamie Peacock, Tender Specialist at advertising@dailyround.news