Better Care Fund VCSE Integrated Wellbeing Pathways SC, HI & W/2025/93

Opportunity overview

Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) are seeking providers within the local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector to deliver the Better Care Fund (BCF) funded VCFSE Integrated Wellbeing Pathways service for adults aged 18+. The new model has been developed through engagement with VCFSE organisations and health and care partners and aims to provide a more integrated and person-centred approach to supporting local residents. The proposed contract term is 3 years, with the option to extend for a further two 1 year periods (3+1+1). The estimated annual contract value is up to £557,282.00 with a maximum potential contract value of £2,786,410.00 over the full contract term. The service will be delivered through two lots: Lot 1: Community Support and Development Annual Value: Approximately £285,282.00 A minimum of £30,000 per annum of the annual contract value above will be ring-fenced for use to support this approach. Through predominantly home visits, this lot provides responsive and preventative support that helps individuals maintain independence while fostering stronger community capacity and connections. Providers will be expected to: • Deliver responsive short-term wellbeing support, primarily through home visits. • Support socially isolated, vulnerable and at-risk residents. • Connect individuals with voluntary, community, faith and statutory services. • Identify emerging unmet need within communities. • Strengthen communities by working with local partners to develop sustainable community-based solutions and support networks. • Deliver flexible and innovative approaches that respond to local needs and circumstances. • Operate a responsive seven-day service model. Lot 2: Integrated Hospital Discharge and Neighbourhood Support Pathway Annual Value: Approximately £272,000.00 An agreed nominal value of £105,000 per annum of the annual contract value above will be ring-fenced for use to support this approach. This lot will support safe and timely hospital discharge, helping people recover, remain independent, and avoid unnecessary readmissions through coordinated community and VCFSE support. Providers will be expected to: • Work in partnership with hospital, community, primary care and social care teams. • Support patient identification, discharge planning and same-day discharge where appropriate. • Coordinate rapid access to community, VCFSE and Personal Health Budget (PHB) support. • Deliver post-discharge follow-up to promote recovery and reduce readmissions. • Develop and coordinate neighbourhood-based VCFSE support services. • Identify gaps in provision and strengthen local community capacity and resilience. • Operate a responsive seven-day service model. What the service will deliver Across both lots, providers will work alongside people to help them: • Live independently and confidently for longer. • Improve their health, wellbeing and overall quality of life. • Stay well at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions or readmissions. • Access the right support at the right time, including safe and timely discharge from hospital. • Maintain independence and delay or avoid the need for long-term care and support. • Build meaningful connections, reduce isolation and strengthen support networks. Providers will need strong links with local communities and referral partners, experience of collaborative working, and the ability to share outcomes and performance. Successful providers for Lots 1 and 2 will be expected to work together to create a seamless pathway for residents. Recognising the expertise of providers, outcomes, key performance measures and indicators will be agreed collaboratively during mobilisation to ensure measures are meaningful, outcome-focused and reflect local priorities. We welcome submissions from individual organisations, partnerships, consortia, or lead provider/subcontractor arrangements.

Lot 1 — Community Support and Development

This lot focuses on community-based responsive, preventative, and development of community support.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £1.7m

Award criterion: Technical: 80%

Award criterion: Price: 20%

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 30 June 2027

Initial contract ends: 30 June 2030

Maximum term ends: 30 June 2032

Extension: At the discretion of the council, subject to funding

Lot 2 — Integrated Hospital Discharge and Neighbourhood Development Pathway

This lot focuses on supporting safe and timely discharge from hospital settings and helping to prevent avoidable readmissions.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £1.6m

Award criterion: Technical: 80%

Award criterion: Price: 20%

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 30 June 2027

Initial contract ends: 30 June 2030

Maximum term ends: 30 June 2032

Extension: At the discretion of the council, subject to funding

Contracting authority

Stoke on Trent City Council Civic Centre, Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1HH, UKG23, United Kingdom Email: categorymanagement@stoke.gov.uk

Procurement timetable and procedure

Procedure: Open procedure

Special regime: Light Touch Regime

Clarification deadline: 25 November 2026 at 12:00 pm

Submission deadline: 27 November 2026 at 08:00 pm

Award decision expected by: 17 April 2027 at 11:59 pm

Electronic submissions: allowed

Submission language: EN

CPV Classification

85320000 — Social services

How to submit

The official Find a Tender notice directs suppliers to ProContract. The procurement documents, clarifications and response area are managed there.

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Documents

• Procurement document

TenderLab qualification first

Before we write, we establish whether the opportunity fits.

We examine the published participation conditions, service scope, geography, regulatory position, available evidence, mobilisation demands and commercial exposure with your team. We only confirm a full tender-writing engagement when the available information supports a responsible view that the provider meets the tender requirements.

If Better Care Fund VCSE Integrated Wellbeing Pathways SC, HI & W/2025/93 is a credible fit, we can map the scored requirements, gather operational evidence and build the response around the buyer documents. The qualification check and any writing support do not guarantee an award; the contracting authority makes the final decision.