Substance Use Service for Children and Young people

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking a provider to deliver a specialist substance use service for children and young people across Oxfordshire, with an estimated contract value of £4.2 million excluding VAT.

The commissioned service will support priorities within the Children and Young People’s action plan under the Oxfordshire Combatting Drugs Partnership. Its central aim will be to help children and young people stop or significantly reduce their use of drugs and alcohol through structured specialist support.

The Council is seeking a flexible and innovative approach to service delivery, supported by an expert workforce and evidence-based practice, with an ambition to increase the number of children and young people able to access and benefit from the service.

Service Requirements

The service will provide structured specialist substance use support for children and young people across Oxfordshire.

Provision will focus on reaching children and young people who require support and helping them to stop or significantly reduce their use of alcohol or drugs.

The successful provider will be expected to use appropriate workforce expertise and evidence-based approaches to develop the service and increase its reach.

The service will also need to respond flexibly to opportunities relating to delivery and funding while contributing to the priorities established through the Oxfordshire Combatting Drugs Partnership.

Contract Information

Buyer: Oxfordshire County Council

Deadline: 9 October 2026, 12:00pm

Contract Value: £4,200,000 excluding VAT

Delivery Length: Initial 36-month contract, with the option to extend by up to a further four years in aggregate – up to 7 years

Tender Link: South East Business Portal / ProContract – Reference I-2262

The Council expects invitations to tender or participate to be issued to selected candidates from 12 October 2026.

Tenderers will be required to maintain their submissions for six months from the stated deadline.

Evaluation Criteria

The published evaluation criteria are:

• Service Questions – 90%
• Social Value – 10%
• Price – Pass/Fail

The procurement is not divided into lots.

Provider Selection Regime

The procurement is being conducted under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

The Council has confirmed that the Competitive Process is being used for the selection of the provider.

Regulatory Requirements

Specific regulatory, registration or professional qualification requirements are not disclosed in the information provided.

Prospective providers should review the complete procurement documentation for any requirements relating to safeguarding, workforce qualifications, clinical governance, information governance, substance use treatment standards and working with children and young people.

The procurement represents a significant opportunity for organisations experienced in young people’s substance use, early intervention and specialist health and wellbeing services.

With a potential contract period of up to seven years, the commissioned service will play a role in delivering Oxfordshire’s wider priorities for reducing drug and alcohol harm among children and young people and improving access to structured specialist support.

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