For the Provision of an Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service for Children in Care

Derby City Council is spearheading a procurement initiative for an Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service dedicated to Children in Care. This procurement, under the legal foundation of directive 32014L0024, involves collaboration with the Derby and Derbyshire NHS Integrated Commissioning Board. Aiming to secure a single provider or consortium, the project operates within the health and social work services category, specifically targeting services in region UKF11.

The procurement method follows an open procedure, and the contract was awarded recently to Action for Children Services Limited, with the agreement signed on 3rd June 2025. Despite being in the award stage, with a contract value of £6,746,050 GBP, there was a prior tender stage with essential deadlines: expressions of interest by 24th March 2025, and final bid submissions by 25th March 2025. This contract represents a substantial opportunity for organisations specialising in trauma-informed care, particularly those focusing on emotional and mental health services for vulnerable groups such as children in care.

Potential bidders for similar future contracts or expansions could include health service providers with robust therapeutic service models or those involved in social work with expertise in child welfare. This procurement seeks to foster a stable therapeutic environment for children, opening avenues for business entities capable of delivering group and one-to-one services without the need for medication prescriptions or CQC registration. Engaging in this transformational health service can allow such businesses to not only expand their operations but also contribute meaningfully to the community’s social and economic regeneration.

Additionally, opportunities for annual extensions up to five years allow businesses to establish long-term partnerships with local authorities like Derby City Council and Derbyshire County Council.