Contract for the Provision of Independent Visitor Service (IVS) in Swansea

The City & County of Swansea is seeking a provider to deliver an Independent Visitor Service (IVS) for children and young people aged 3 to 18 who are looked after by Swansea Council.

The estimated contract value is £150,000 excluding VAT (£180,000 including VAT). The service aims to provide consistent, positive and supportive relationships through volunteer Independent Visitors, helping children and young people benefit from friendship, mentoring and regular social activities.

Service Requirements

The service will provide independent volunteers who act as friends and mentors to children and young people in looked-after care.

The programme will focus on:

• Independent Relationships: Providing children and young people with consistent, positive relationships with volunteer Independent Visitors.
• Emotional Support: Offering a listening ear and a stable, supportive presence to young people who may have experienced significant disruptions in their lives.
• Social Activities: Engaging children and young people in activities to encourage positive experiences and relationships.
• Independent Support: Ensuring volunteers operate independently of social workers and Swansea Council’s Child and Family Services.

The service is a statutory requirement under Section 98 of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014.

Contract Information

• Buyer: City & County of Swansea
• Enquiry Deadline: 27 November 2026, 12:00pm
• Tender Submission Deadline: 4 December 2026, 12:00am
• Contract Value: £150,000 (excluding VAT) / £180,000 (including VAT)
• Contract Start: 1 April 2027
• Contract End: 31 March 2030
• Extension: Possible extension of up to 24 months, until 31 March 2032
• Total Delivery Length: Up to 5 years
• Award Decision Date: 11 January 2027 (estimated)
• Tender Reference: CCS-26-243
• Tender Link: eTenderWales Portal
• Procurement Procedure: Open procedure (Light Touch)

Supplier Requirements

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

Providers must be able to deliver an Independent Visitor Service for children and young people in looked-after care, in line with the statutory requirements and service expectations set out in the tender documents.

Suppliers must register on the eTenderWales portal, express an interest in the opportunity and submit their tender electronically. Responses can be submitted in Welsh or English.

Evaluation Criteria

The contract will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Methodology: 70%
• Price: 30%

Commercial Relevance

This opportunity offers children’s services providers, charities, voluntary organisations and community-based support organisations an opportunity to deliver mentoring and relationship-based support for children and young people in looked-after care across Swansea.

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