Tameside Independent Advocacy Service

Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking a provider to deliver a person-centred and flexible independent advocacy service across the borough. The service will ensure individuals can access appropriate advocacy support through a single referral, with experienced advocates trained to meet a range of statutory and additional advocacy needs.

The opportunity covers several advocacy roles, including Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA), Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA), and advocacy under the Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and NHS Complaints arrangements.

Service Requirements

The appointed provider will deliver a flexible advocacy service that responds to individuals’ needs through a single referral route.

The service must include provision for:

• Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA): Advocacy for individuals eligible for support under mental health legislation.
• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA): Advocacy for individuals who may lack capacity to make specific decisions and meet the relevant eligibility requirements.
• Mental Capacity Act (MCA) advocacy: Additional advocacy roles arising under the legislation.
• Care Act advocacy: Support for individuals who meet the relevant criteria under the Care Act.
• NHS Complaints advocacy: Assistance for individuals seeking support with NHS complaints.

Advocates must be experienced and appropriately trained to deliver the different types of support. The service is intended to provide a coordinated, person-centred approach rather than requiring individuals to make separate referrals for different advocacy needs.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
• Reference: DN831208
• Estimated contract value: £278,995 excluding VAT (£334,794 including VAT)
• Initial contract period: 6 July 2027 to 5 July 2032
• Possible extension: Up to two additional years, until 5 July 2034
• Maximum potential contract duration: Seven years
• Enquiry deadline: 18 November 2026 at 12:00pm
• Tender submission deadline: 2 December 2026 at 12:00pm
• Estimated award decision date: 2 February 2027
• Procedure: Open procedure
• Special regime: Light Touch
• CPV code: 85000000 – Health and social work services
• Contracting authority location: Greater Manchester
• Tender portal: The Chest

The opportunity is open to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). Tender documents and technical specifications are available through The Chest.

Supplier Requirements

Potential providers should have the capability to deliver the range of advocacy services covered by the contract. The description highlights the need for experienced advocates with appropriate training across IMHA, IMCA, Mental Capacity Act, Care Act and NHS Complaints advocacy.

Detailed eligibility conditions, staffing requirements, qualifications and other technical specifications should be checked in the procurement documents on The Chest.

Evaluation Criteria

The contract will be assessed against the following award criteria:

• Quality: 90%
• Price: 10%

Technical questions will be weighted by percentage in accordance with the tender documentation. The detailed scoring methodology is available through the procurement portal.

Commercial Relevance

This opportunity may be suitable for independent advocacy organisations, specialist advocacy providers and VCSEs with experience delivering statutory advocacy services. The requirement for a single-referral model across several advocacy functions may favour providers with a suitably trained and experienced advocacy team.

With a potential contract duration of seven years, the opportunity offers a longer-term service arrangement for providers able to meet the Council’s requirements. Interested organisations should review the full specification and submit their bids by 2 December 2026 at 12:00pm.

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