BEST START FAMILY HUBS / CARER PANEL

Hartlepool Borough Council is inviting submissions from suitably qualified and experienced organisations to deliver Parent and Carer Panels as part of its Best Start Family Hubs programme.

The opportunity will support parents and carers to work with local commissioners to co-design and evaluate services, ensuring that babies, children and families are central to service planning and delivery. The notice gives an estimated total value of £120,000 including VAT, although the detailed procurement information separately states a contract value of £40,000.

Service Summary

The contract will support the delivery of Parent and Carer Panels across Hartlepool’s Best Start Family Hubs programme.

The panels will provide a forum for parents and carers to work collaboratively with local commissioners, helping shape and evaluate services.

The programme aims to:

• Support parents and carers in nurturing their babies and children, improving health and education outcomes.
• Reduce inequalities in health and education outcomes for babies, children and families.
• Ensure support reaches all parents and carers, including underserved families and those most in need.
• Strengthen co-production by involving parents and carers in service design and delivery.

Service Requirements

The successful provider will be required to:

• Deliver Parent and Carer Panels between 1 April 2027 and 31 March 2029.
• Engage with a range of parents and carers as part of the Best Start Family Hubs delivery model.
• Demonstrate experience and skills in engaging parents and carers.
• Demonstrate successful outcomes in co-production.
• Provide a high-quality and cost-effective service in line with the service specification.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Hartlepool Borough Council
• Deadline: 27 November 2026, 2:00pm
• Estimated Contract Value: £120,000 (including VAT). The detailed procurement information states £40,000.
• Contract Start: 1 April 2027
• Contract End: 31 March 2029
• Delivery Length: 2 years
• Tender Reference: OPEN PR 21102026203159221
• Tender Link: https://www.open-uk.org/
• Contract Location: Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees (UKC11)
• Procedure: Below-threshold open competition

Supplier Requirements

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

Prospective providers must demonstrate:

• Relevant experience in delivering services involving parents and carers.
• A commitment to high-quality and cost-effective service delivery.
• Experience in successful co-production.
• The ability to meet the requirements set out in the service specification.

The successful provider may also be required to provide additional information covering Health and Safety, Enhanced Disclosure Checks and financial records.

All submissions must include the completed Business Questionnaire, Quality Questionnaire and Financial Workbook. These must be uploaded through the NEPO portal before the submission deadline.

Evaluation Criteria

• Quality: 80%
• Price: 20%

The Quality Questionnaire and Financial Workbook carry a combined total of 100 points, assessing providers’ backgrounds, relevant experience, approach to social value and pricing.

Commercial Relevance

This opportunity may be relevant to organisations specialising in family support, early years services, parenting support, community engagement and social research. Providers with experience in engaging parents and carers and delivering co-production initiatives may be particularly well placed to apply.

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