The Provision of Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Volunteer Peer and Parenting Support Service

Manchester City Council is seeking a provider to deliver its Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Volunteer Peer and Parenting Support Service under a contract valued at approximately £1.8 million.

The opportunity forms part of the Council’s approach to supporting families, babies, children and parents through early intervention, community-based support and volunteer-led programmes. The successful provider will be expected to deliver a range of services designed to improve family wellbeing, strengthen parenting capacity and provide targeted support during the early years of a child’s development.

According to the procurement documents, the contract covers the delivery of Best Start Family Hubs alongside Healthy Babies volunteer peer support and parenting support services across Manchester. The Council is seeking an organisation capable of providing integrated support that helps families access advice, guidance and practical assistance at key stages of early childhood development.

The service is expected to support Manchester’s wider health and wellbeing objectives through preventative interventions and community engagement, while helping families access appropriate support networks and services within their local areas.

The procurement is open to a broad range of providers, with Manchester City Council specifically identifying Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) as suitable organisations for participation.

Contract Information

Buyer: Manchester City Council

Deadline: 17 July 2026, 11:00am

Enquiry Deadline: 8 July 2026, 11:59pm

Contract Value: £1,800,000

Delivery Length: 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2029 with the option to extend until 31 March 2031, subject to funding

Tender Link: click here

Evaluation Criteria

The Council confirmed that tenders will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Quality – 45%
• Price – 25%
• Social Value – 20%
• Environmental – 10%

Participation Requirements

The procurement documents state that providers must satisfy the Council’s legal, financial and technical capability requirements.

Further details relating to participation requirements are available within the tender documentation accessed through The Chest procurement portal.

Procurement Process

The opportunity is being procured through an Open Procedure.

Interested organisations must register on The Chest e-procurement portal and submit all tender responses electronically by the stated deadline. Clarification questions must also be submitted through the portal before the enquiry deadline.

The Council expects to make an award decision on or around 2 September 2026.

Why This Opportunity Matters

With increasing emphasis on early intervention, family support and preventative services, this contract provides an opportunity for providers to play a key role in supporting children and families across Manchester. The commissioning of family hubs and volunteer-led parenting support services reflects continued investment in community-based approaches designed to improve outcomes for babies, children and parents while reducing demand on wider public services.

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