Children's rights, advocacy and independent visitors
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
The real heart of the service isn't just advocacy
When you first look at this tender, you might be tempted to see it as simply providing advocacy and independent visitor services.
But Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council is looking for more than that.
They want a partner who truly understands the needs and rights of children and young people.
The contract covers advocacy services and independent visitors for children and young people aged 0-25 who have a Social Worker or Personal Adviser.
This includes those under a Child Protection Plan, looked after children and care leavers.
It's about providing a voice and support for those who need it most.
Think about the worries of children and young people
If I were evaluating bids, I'd want to know how you plan to address the concerns and anxieties of the children and young people you'll be working with.
These aren't just service users.
They're individuals with unique needs and challenges.
Consider what they worry about:
- Feeling heard and respected
- Having consistent and reliable support
- Access to someone who understands their situation
- Support during critical life transitions
- Assurance of confidentiality and trust
Your response should show empathy and understanding.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that bidders often made sweeping promises.
But what stands out is evidence.
If you can prove you've delivered similar services successfully, do it.
Include:
- Testimonials from young people or their families
- Case studies of past successes
- Data on service improvements or outcomes
- Examples of innovative approaches used in other contracts
- Feedback from social workers or personal advisers
This isn't just about saying you can do the job.
It's about showing you have done it before and done it well.
Pay attention to what they say
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council is clear about the importance of these services.
They have a "statutory duty" to provide them.
That means this isn't just a nice-to-have service.
It's a critical one.
Your bid should reflect this level of importance by demonstrating a deep understanding of statutory requirements and your ability to meet them consistently.
Don't just focus on the service. Focus on relationships.
It's easy to get caught up in the mechanics of delivering advocacy and visitor services.
But remember, the relationships you build with the children and young people are just as important.
They need to trust you.
You need to show how you'll build and maintain these relationships over time.
Think about:
- Training for your team in communication and empathy
- How you'll match children with the right advocate or visitor
- Processes for feedback and continuous improvement
- Strategies for maintaining engagement over the full duration of the contract
Show how you'll ensure quality over time
Consistency is a challenge in any long-term contract.
But it's especially important here.
You need to maintain high standards from the first day to the last.
Consider:
- Regular training and development for your team
- Systems for monitoring and evaluating service quality
- Contingency plans for staff absence or turnover
- Commitment to regular reviews and updates with the Council
If I were writing this tender, I'd emphasise these points to reassure the buyer.
Highlight your understanding of the local context
Stockport isn't just a location.
It's a community.
Understanding the local context and how it affects the children and young people you'll support is crucial.
Demonstrate your knowledge of:
- Local services and networks
- Specific challenges faced by Stockport's young people
- Opportunities for collaboration with other local organisations
- How you'll tailor your service to meet local needs
This isn't about a one-size-fits-all solution.
It's about a service that fits Stockport.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Overlook the importance of building trust with young people
- Fail to provide evidence of past success
- Ignore the statutory nature of the service
- Offer generic solutions without tailoring to Stockport
- Neglect to address how you'll maintain quality over time
- Lack a clear plan for engaging with local networks
My Final Thoughts
Remember, this contract is about much more than just ticking boxes.
It's about making a tangible difference in the lives of children and young people.
With a value of £175,000 and a potential term until 31 March 2032, the Council is looking for a partner they can rely on for the long haul.
Quality will weigh heavily, and your written submission needs to reflect your ability to meet and exceed these expectations.
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.