Tender for the Contract for the Provision of a mild to moderate perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationship support service

Hartlepool Borough Council is inviting tenders from suitably qualified providers to deliver a perinatal mental health and parent-infant relationship support service for families experiencing mild to moderate mental health needs, or who may be vulnerable to perinatal mental health issues. Support will be available to parents individually and in groups, from before birth until their child reaches their second birthday.

The service aims to improve parental wellbeing, strengthen relationships between parents and babies, and help families build confidence, resilience and social connections.

Service Requirements

The successful provider will deliver support to families across the perinatal period, focusing on mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing needs and the development of positive parent-infant relationships.

Key requirements include:

• Individual and group support: Providing tailored support to families from pre-birth until the child’s second birthday.
• Assessment and intervention: Working with mothers and fathers, including non-biological stepparents and same-sex partners, where mental health or emotional wellbeing concerns exist or there is an identified risk.
• Parent-infant relationships: Helping improve the emotional wellbeing of parents and babies and strengthen relationships between them.
• Partnership working: Collaborating with maternity services, health visiting teams and Best Start Family Hubs.
• Reducing barriers to support: Helping families access appropriate services and overcome obstacles to engagement.
• Building resilience: Supporting families to develop confidence, social connections and strategies to manage their own wellbeing.

The Council is seeking a provider with relevant experience and skills in assessing and supporting families experiencing mild to moderate perinatal mental health and emotional health difficulties.

Contract Information

• Buyer: Hartlepool Borough Council
• Reference: OPENPR27102026170815133
• Contract type: Services
• Procurement procedure: Below-threshold open competition
• Estimated total value: £200,000 including VAT
• Contract location: Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees
• Estimated contract period: 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029
• Contract duration: Two years
• Tender submission deadline: 18 November 2026 at 2:00pm
• Electronic submission: Yes
• Particularly suitable for: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs)

Tender documents and submission: Access the OPEN procurement portal and search for reference OPENPR27102026170815133.

Supplier Requirements

The Council is seeking suitably qualified providers with experience in perinatal mental health, emotional wellbeing and parent-infant relationship support.

The notice specifically identifies the need for skills in assessing and intervening with mothers and fathers, including non-biological stepparents and same-sex partners, where mild to moderate mental health needs are present or there is a risk of such difficulties.

Detailed eligibility conditions, required qualifications, staffing arrangements and other participation requirements are not specified in the supplied notice. Providers should consult the full tender documents to confirm the complete requirements.

Evaluation Criteria

Tenders will be evaluated using the following weightings:

• Quality: 70%
• Price: 20%
• Social Value: 10%

Quality carries the greatest weighting, making the proposed service model, relevant experience and approach to supporting families important considerations for bidders.

Commercial Relevance

This opportunity may suit organisations delivering perinatal mental health support, early intervention, family wellbeing services and parent-infant relationship programmes. It may also be relevant to SMEs and VCSEs with experience working collaboratively with maternity, health visiting and family hub services.

Providers should demonstrate how their approach will support families from pregnancy through the child’s first two years, strengthen parent-infant relationships, reduce barriers to support and improve wellbeing outcomes.

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If you want to advertise your opportunity, please contact Jamie Peacock, Tender Specialist at advertising@dailyround.news