Children's Direct Payment Support Service
- Buyer
- Cumberland Council
- Value
- £263,867
- Closes
- 25 November 2026
- Where
- Carlisle, the North West
- Type
- Open tender
In plain English
Cumberland Council wants a provider to support families who receive Direct Payments, which are council funds paid to families so they can arrange their child's care themselves. The provider will guide families on how to spend the money, explain their responsibilities as employers, and help them keep accurate records. The contract starts on 1 April 2027 and is worth up to £263,867 excluding VAT over an initial 12 months plus an optional 12-month extension.
What the buyer wants
• Deliver a Direct Payment Support Service to all eligible families receiving Direct Payments on the council's behalf, with families choosing which support they use and when. • Provide information and guidance on how Direct Payments can be used, and explain family responsibilities including indemnity insurance and DBS checks for Personal Assistants, clear accounting for income and expenditure, and statutory payment duties where applicable. • Run for an initial 12 months from 1 April 2027, with one optional extension of up to 12 months at the council's discretion, within a maximum value of £263,867 excluding VAT including any extension or uplift.
Requirements
Named in the buyer's notice:
- DBS Check (Enhanced)
What could rule a small business out (our reading of the notice, written with AI): The notice sets no explicit turnover, insurance or experience threshold, but the contract is worth up to £263,867 and must cover all eligible families, so a small firm would need to show it can deliver support at that scale and provide evidence of Find a Tender registration with its bid.
Always check the tender documents.
How to bid
This is an open tender: any eligible business can respond directly to the buyer by the deadline, with no framework membership needed.
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How to write a tender response
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