Specialist Support Service For People Bereaved By Suicide

Kent County Council, on behalf of the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme and in partnership with Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board, is seeking a provider to deliver specialist bereavement support for people affected by suicide across Kent and Medway.

The service will provide timely, accessible and trauma-informed emotional and practical support to people impacted by suicide, including family members, friends, colleagues, witnesses and professionals.

The successful provider will be expected to operate a flexible service across the area, combining face-to-face provision with telephone and virtual support.

Service Requirements

The service is intended to ensure people affected by suicide can access appropriate emotional and practical assistance through a range of delivery methods.

Provision will include support for:

• Family members
• Friends
• Colleagues
• Witnesses
• Professionals affected by suicide

The provider will be expected to deliver support across Kent and Medway and work closely with health, community and voluntary sector partners.

A trauma-informed approach will be central to the service, alongside accessible provision capable of responding flexibly to the needs of people affected by suicide bereavement.

The contract is not divided into lots.

Contract Information

Buyer: Kent County Council, on behalf of the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme and in partnership with Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board

Deadline: 5 October 2026, 12:00pm

Contract Value: £650,000 excluding VAT

Delivery Length: 3 years, with the option to extend for up to a further 2 years

Tender Link: Kent Business Portal / Delta eSourcing – reference 36CJ44U35J

The contract is anticipated to commence on 1 April 2027. The published contract period runs to 31 March 2032, incorporating the anticipated initial three-year term and potential extension period.

Evaluation Criteria

Price will not be the only award criterion.

The individual evaluation criteria and weightings are not disclosed in the notice and are contained within the procurement documents.

Economic and financial standing requirements, together with technical and professional ability requirements, are also set out within the procurement documentation.

Provider Selection Regime

The Council has confirmed that this is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice.

The award is therefore subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The notice specifically states that the Procurement Act 2023 does not apply to this award.

The procedure is identified within the notice as an Open Procedure.

The Council also considers the opportunity potentially suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), although supplier selection will be based on the criteria established for the procurement.

Regulatory and Compliance Requirements

Providers will, however, be expected to deliver trauma-informed support and work collaboratively with health, community and voluntary sector partners as part of the countywide service.

The opportunity provides a significant commissioning opportunity for organisations experienced in suicide bereavement, trauma-informed support and community health provision. The service will form part of the wider Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme, providing specialist support to people affected by suicide across the region.

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