Investing in Children - County Durham - North East and North Cumbria ICB

The procurement process, led by the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, focuses on a direct award contract for the project titled "Investing in Children - County Durham - North East and North Cumbria ICB". Situated in Sunderland, the buying organisation operates under the healthcare sector, as indicated by its address in Sunderland Enterprise Park. This process reached the award and contract stage, with key dates including the contract's commencement on 24 October 2025 and an end date of 31 March 2026.

The procurement was enacted without competition due to urgent need as described under the Procurement Act 2023, covering care services for children and young people across County Durham. This tender opens significant avenues for businesses specialising in community engagement and healthcare services for young populations. Given its direct award setup, suppliers like Investing in Children, who also operate in partnership with Durham County Council, have been able to secure involvement due to their existing alignment with the contract's requirements.

This scenario could serve as a model for other large-scale organisations with community action programmes, particularly those focusing on youth and mental health services, to position themselves competitively for future similar opportunities within the public health sector.