Breastfeeding Peer Support Service
Overview
Summary, notice description and lot information
This procurement process involves Portsmouth City Council for the provision of a Breastfeeding Peer Support Service, classified under miscellaneous health services. The service is intended to operate within the Portsmouth region, falling under the category of community-based health services. The procurement stage is the Award phase, as the contract has been awarded under urgency by the Integrated Children's Commissioning Team.
The contract is running for a five-month term with a possibility of extension due to Government funding for this programme. Significant dates include the contract signing on 27th March 2025, with an anticipated procurement transition managed by the Public Health Directorate scheduled for 1st September 2025. The tender offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for health service providers specialising in maternal and child health.
The Breastfeeding Network, as the awarded supplier, underscores the relevance for SMEs in the health services industry, particularly those with expertise in peer support and health education. This contract promotes community engagement through drop-in groups and online support, presenting a venture for enterprises that can sustain service quality and adapt to urgent health service demands. Businesses with capabilities in consortium arrangements may find similar opportunities to innovate service delivery frameworks, given the high priority placed on safety and quality care in this procurement process.
The Breastfeeding Network Service provide a community-based service, adopting multi-faceted approaches in order to improve breastfeeding initiation and prevalence rates in Portsmouth, therefore supporting a reduction in health inequalities. The service contributes to promoting a social and cultural shift where breastfeeding is recognised as the conventional way to feed an infant. Their team of peer supporters and volunteers are in place to support mothers and expectant mothers throughout their breastfeeding journey and support with the many different factors and techniques involved, inclusive of Combination feeding, expressing, exclusively breastfeeding, chest-feeding, newborn stage, toddler stage, ending the breastfeeding journey and debriefing feelings about a previous journey.
Type of services provide by BfN Community Groups - These are all drop-in groups, running throughout the week at various locations across the city. Online support - This involves 1:1 support via Zoom from a trained Breastfeeding Network peer support volunteer.
This notice is confirmation of an award being made due to an urgent circumstance. Currently the Breastfeeding Network (BfN) is subcontracted under Home-Start Portsmouth through a consortium arrangement, with Home-Start being the consortium lead. This arrangement was put in place via an open tender in 2023 and aligned with Portsmouth plans in relation to the Government funded Family Hub and Best Start for Life offer. The initial term of these Contracts was for 33 months, and are due to terminate 31st March 2025, however, the services were to be extended year on year dependent on the government's intention to continue to fund the Council for this programme. The DfE have only recently confirmed that the Council will continue to be funded for this service for the 25/26 financial year, and there has been a severely limited timeframe to allocate funds to the appropriate service streams that all fall under this programme. This consortium arrangement is unable to continue, therefore the decision has been taken to award a short term contract directly with the BfN to ensure minimum disruption to quality of service. The Public Health Directorate are due to take over and manage these services later in the year, with the aim of awarding their own contract via PSR process by 1st September 2025.
Procurement Classification
Notice type, method, and CPV codes
Contract Values
Financial information and value estimates
Contract duration information not available.
Key Dates
Publication, submission, and award timeline
Notice Status
Current status of tender, lots, awards, and contracts
Contracting Authority
Buyer organisation and contact details
Awarded Supplier
Supplier who was awarded this contract
Documents & Links
External resources and data downloads
The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector.
Need help with your tender submission?
Our expert team can help you prepare a winning bid. Get professional support from CareSync Experts.
Get in touch with our team at Care Sync Experts today for a consultation.
Email: hello@caresyncexperts.co.uk
Phone: 0333 577 0877
Contact UsBidding for contracts like this
Other tenders in Portsmouth
- TARGETED SHORT BREAKS AND SPECIALIST PLAYSCHEME SERVICES - PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL 2026 in Portsmouth
- Portsmouth Advice Service in Portsmouth
- Lived Experience Recovery Service (LERS) in Portsmouth
- SH24 HIV Self Sampling in Portsmouth
- Accommodation for persons who require nursing or personal care in Portsmouth
- Child and Parenting Support Services in Portsmouth