Breastfeeding Support Service for Southampton

Southampton City Council would like to commission a Breastfeeding Support Service to support families in Southampton in the maximisation of breastfeeding. The service sought will work closely with: * Maternity services to maximise breastfeeding initiation and to support mothers in the first few days of breastfeeding. * Sure Start/Family Hubs. * Integrated 0 - 19 services in Southampton to ensure that there is effective ongoing support that helps women continue and maintain breastfeeding. * Other local community services in the Southampton area to ensure parents/families have enough information to support their breastfeeding journey and normalise breastfeeding in the City. The Service Provider will provide a Breastfeeding Support Service in Southampton.

The Service Provider will develop an innovative pattern of, and approach to, service delivery in order to achieve and support increased rates of breastfeeding 10-14 days, and at 6 - 8 weeks. Services will include a menu of provision, which must encompass a peer support service, support to breastfeeding groups and the coordination of scheme to welcome breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice.

The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period.

Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by the end of 26th February 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR regulations. Written representations should be sent to: tendermanagement@southampton.gov.uk There were no declared actual or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision.

The Key Criteria are as stated below for this contract: Criterion 1: Quality and Innovation Criterion 2: Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability Criterion 3: Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice Criterion 4: Value Criterion 5: Social Value The rationale for choosing the most suitable provider, The Breastfeeding Network, was confirmed under the requirements of Direct Award Process C: The existing provider is satisfying its existing contract, will likely satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard, and the proposed contracting arrangements are not changing considerably The Provider also met each of the Key Criteria.