Adult Advocacy Service
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
This isn't just about advocacy
When you look at this tender, don't just see a list of advocacy services.
See the real purpose behind it.
Swindon Borough Council isn't just buying services. They're striving to ensure every adult can have a voice, be heard and influence decisions affecting their lives.
This contract is about empowerment, independence and equality.
It's about ensuring that people who might struggle otherwise get the support they need to engage fully with health and social care systems.
The contract covers a comprehensive range of statutory advocacy functions, including Independent Care Act Advocacy, Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy and more. But remember, the core is about enabling voices and promoting rights.
Don't just promise — prove your approach
Promises are easy.
What Swindon Borough Council will be looking for is evidence.
They are commissioning a service that demands more than words. They want proof that you can deliver a high-quality, accessible and responsive service.
If this were my submission, I’d focus on demonstrating my past successes in similar contracts. I'd include:
- Case studies where advocacy led to better outcomes
- Testimonials from service users
- Performance metrics from previous contracts
- Examples of collaborative work with councils and health partners
Evidence always beats promises.
Think about the people behind the contract
Whenever I see a contract like this, I remind myself of the individuals it will affect.
People with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, dementia and more.
It's easy to get lost in the mechanics of delivering services. But if I were writing this tender, I'd keep returning to what these individuals need from an advocacy service.
Empathy. Understanding. A real commitment to making their lives better.
That's what I'd build my submission around.
Collaboration is key
This isn't a service you can deliver in isolation.
Swindon Borough Council wants a provider who can work collaboratively with a range of partners.
That means health partners, care providers, the voluntary and community sector and other stakeholders.
I'd want to show how my team integrates with existing structures and actively engages with all these groups to ensure advocacy is embedded within wider care and support pathways.
Pay attention to what they say
Swindon Borough Council's vision is clear.
They want a sustainable and high-quality advocacy service that supports independence and reduces inequalities.
They've spelled out that this service needs to promote "voice, choice and control" and to contribute to the broader ambitions of the Swindon Plan and Adult Services Strategy.
They are not obliged to accept the lowest price. Quality matters.
This means your submission should focus heavily on demonstrating the quality and impact of your advocacy service.
Address the TUPE implications
The application of TUPE is something you can't ignore.
It indicates that existing staff may be transferred to your employment if you win the contract.
If I were writing this tender, I’d outline a clear plan for handling this transition smoothly. This could include:
- How you’ll communicate with transferring staff
- Training and development plans for new team members
- Ensuring continuity of service
Show how you'll maintain standards over time
The contract isn't just about starting well. It's about maintaining high standards throughout the duration.
Three years is a long time, and potentially five if extended.
I'd want to show Swindon Borough Council exactly how I'll ensure consistent quality every step of the way. This might include:
- Regular performance reviews
- Staff training and development programmes
- Robust feedback mechanisms from service users
- Clear KPIs and reporting structures
Consistency is the hardest thing to deliver.
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
People are at the heart of this contract.
Every decision, every strategy, every service delivered should be tested against one simple question:
"Will this improve the lives of those who need advocacy?"
Keeping this at the forefront will help ensure your submission aligns with Swindon Borough Council's priorities.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Lack concrete evidence of past successes
- Ignore the collaborative nature of the service
- Overlook the importance of TUPE and staff transition
- Fail to offer clear strategies for maintaining long-term quality
- Focus solely on price rather than quality and outcomes
- Do not address the needs of diverse service users
- Overpromise without evidence
- Ignore the Council's vision and strategic aims
My Final Thoughts
Swindon Borough Council is looking for a partner, not just a provider.
They want an organisation that understands the weight of this responsibility and can deliver an advocacy service that truly makes a difference.
The value of this contract is £2,341,819 and it runs for three years initially, with the possibility of extending for another two. The focus on quality means that your written submission carries significant weight.
Show them how you will deliver their vision — sustainable, high-quality services that promote independence and reduce inequalities.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
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Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.