Children’s Advocacy and Independent Visitors Service

Swindon Borough Council is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced provider to deliver statutory Children’s Advocacy and Independent Visitor Services for children and young people across the borough.

The Council intends to appoint a single provider to deliver both elements of the service, with the requirement including 1,200 advocacy hours and the maintenance of 18 Independent Visitor relationships at any one time.

The procurement will not be divided into lots, and TUPE will apply.

Children’s Advocacy

The advocacy service will provide independent, rights-based support to help children and young people have their voices heard and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their lives.

Advocates will be expected to support children and young people to understand their rights, navigate complex systems, raise concerns or complaints and communicate their wishes and feelings.

The service will place the views of the child or young person at the centre of decision-making and ensure these are represented within relevant statutory and non-statutory processes.

Independent Visitors

The Independent Visitor service will support Children We Care For (Children Looked After) by providing access to trained volunteers who can establish consistent, independent and long-term relationships with them.

Independent Visitors will provide support, guidance and positive experiences outside of existing care arrangements, with the service intended to help develop confidence, resilience, wellbeing and a sense of belonging.

The successful provider will be required to maintain 18 Independent Visitor relationships at any one time.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Swindon Borough Council
• Deadline: 25th Sep 2026 17:00
• Enquiry Deadline: 18th Sep 2026 12:00
• Contract Value: £359,100 for the initial three-year term / £598,500 excluding VAT across the potential five-year term
• Delivery Length: 1st Apr 2027 to 31st Mar 2030, with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months in two 12-month increments to 31st Mar 2032
• Tender Link: https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/

Evaluation Criteria

The procurement documentation sets out the following award criteria:

• Price – 30%
• Service Delivery Model (Advocacy) – 20%
• Mobilisation and Open Cases – 15%
• Service Delivery Model (Independent Visitors) – 10%
• SBC Social Value Question – 10%
• Awareness and Promotion – 10%
• Collaborative Working – 5%

Procurement Process

The opportunity is being procured through a competitive flexible procedure under the light touch regime.

The deadline for Conditions of Participation responses is 25 September 2026 at 5:00pm. The Council anticipates issuing the Invitation to Tender on 9 October 2026.

Suppliers will need to register through the ProContract e-tendering portal, register an interest in the opportunity and access the relevant Word and Excel documents for completion and electronic submission.

The procurement provides an opportunity for organisations experienced in children’s rights, advocacy and independent visitor provision to deliver a combined statutory service supporting children and young people in Swindon. The emphasis on independent relationships, participation and representation reflects the importance of ensuring children and young people can understand their rights and have their views meaningfully considered in decisions affecting them.

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