Better Care Fund VCSE Integrated Wellbeing Pathways SC, HI & W/2025/93

Stoke-on-Trent City Council and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) are seeking providers from the local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to deliver an integrated wellbeing service for adults aged 18 and over. Funded through the Better Care Fund, the service aims to improve residents’ health and wellbeing, support independent living, reduce social isolation and strengthen community-based support.

Service Lots

The contract is divided into two lots:

• Lot 1 – Community Support and Development: £1,426,410 excluding VAT. Provides responsive, preventative wellbeing support, primarily through home visits, helping vulnerable and socially isolated residents maintain independence and connect with local community services. Approximately £285,282 is available annually, including a minimum of £30,000 ring-fenced to support the specified approach.
• Lot 2 – Integrated Hospital Discharge and Neighbourhood Development Pathway: £1,360,000 excluding VAT. Supports safe and timely hospital discharge, post-discharge recovery and neighbourhood-based support to prevent avoidable hospital readmissions. Approximately £272,000 is available annually, including £105,000 ring-fenced to support the specified approach.

Both lots are open to applications from individual organisations, partnerships, consortia and lead provider/subcontractor arrangements.

Service Requirements

Across both lots, providers will be expected to deliver person-centred support that helps adults improve their wellbeing, maintain independence and access appropriate community services.

Lot 1 – Community Support and Development

Providers must:

• Deliver responsive, short-term wellbeing support, primarily through home visits.
• Support socially isolated, vulnerable and at-risk residents.
• Connect individuals with voluntary, community, faith and statutory services.
• Identify unmet needs within local communities.
• Work with partners to develop sustainable community-based support networks.
• Provide flexible services that respond to local needs.
• Operate a responsive seven-day service.

Lot 2 – Integrated Hospital Discharge and Neighbourhood Development Pathway

Providers must:

• Work with hospital, community, primary care and social care teams.
• Support patient identification and discharge planning, including same-day discharge where appropriate.
• Coordinate rapid access to community, VCFSE and Personal Health Budget (PHB) support.
• Provide post-discharge follow-up to support recovery and reduce readmissions.
• Develop and coordinate neighbourhood-based VCFSE services.
• Identify gaps in provision and strengthen community capacity.
• Operate a responsive seven-day service.

Successful providers across both lots will be expected to work together to create a seamless support pathway for residents. Outcomes and key performance measures will be agreed collaboratively during mobilisation.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Stoke-on-Trent City Council and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board
• Deadline: 27 November 2026, 8:00pm
• Enquiry Deadline: 25 November 2026, 12:00pm
• Contract Value: £2,786,410 excluding VAT (£3,343,692 including VAT)
• Lot 1 Value: £1,426,410 excluding VAT
• Lot 2 Value: £1,360,000 excluding VAT
• Delivery Length: Three years, with the option to extend by two further one-year periods (3+1+1)
• Contract Dates: 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030, with possible extensions until 30 June 2032
• Extension Conditions: At the council’s discretion and subject to funding
• Contract Location: Stoke-on-Trent
• Tender Reference: SCHIW/2025/93
• Award Decision Date: 17 April 2027
• Award Criteria: Technical quality – 80%; Price – 20%
• Procedure: Open procedure under the light-touch regime
• Tender Link: View the opportunity and tender documents

Supplier Requirements

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

Providers must demonstrate:

• Experience and capacity to deliver community-based wellbeing and support services.
• Strong links with local communities and referral partners.
• The ability to work collaboratively with health, social care and voluntary sector organisations.
• The ability to monitor, report and share service outcomes and performance.
• Capacity to contribute to integrated support pathways across both lots.

Applications are welcome from individual organisations, partnerships, consortia and lead provider/subcontractor arrangements.

This opportunity offers VCSE organisations, community support providers and health and wellbeing services organisations the chance to deliver integrated support across Stoke-on-Trent. It is particularly relevant to providers experienced in preventative community support, hospital discharge, neighbourhood services and helping vulnerable adults maintain their independence.

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