Healthy Child Programme (HCP) Connected Parents
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
The real focus isn't just the service, it's the community
When I first read this tender, the key theme that jumped out was community.
Yes, you're delivering services for parents and children.
But Wigan Council is really looking for a partner to strengthen the community fabric.
The contract value is £1,250,000, covering a five-year term from January 2027.
Your role is to create a community-based offering for families with children from newborns to 19 years old, and up to 25 for those with SEND.
This is about building confidence and connections for families, while supporting community growth.
Think about what parents need most
Parents and carers are at the heart of this service.
The Council wants to see how you'll help them build confidence and strengthen family relationships.
If I were evaluating bids, I'd want evidence of how you've achieved this before.
Consider the key developmental periods mentioned: the first 1001 days and adolescence.
How will your approach support parents through these critical stages?
Don't underestimate the power of peer support
One of the standout areas in this tender is peer support.
You're not just delivering services; you're fostering a network of support among parents.
This means paid peer support for infant feeding, but it doesn't stop there.
The Council is looking for ways to promote healthy nutrition and community food resources.
Your solution should weave peer connections into every aspect of service delivery.
Pay attention to what they say
Wigan Council makes it clear that the VCFSE sector is a crucial partner.
They're not just looking for a service provider.
They're looking for someone who can bolster the local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations.
Mentoring, coaching and micro-commissioning are all part of this.
If I were writing this tender, I'd highlight how my organisation already collaborates with these groups.
Evidence always beats promises
Promises are easy to make.
Evidence is what will set you apart.
If you've successfully increased community capacity in the past, show it.
Here are some types of evidence that would be compelling:
- Testimonials from previous community partners
- Case studies of similar projects
- Data showing improved outcomes for families
- Examples of successful peer support initiatives
Community capacity isn't just a buzzword
This tender talks about community participation, volunteering and leadership.
These aren't just buzzwords; they're what Wigan Council wants to see in action.
Consider how you'll create opportunities for families to engage with neighbourhood assets and services.
Think about how you'll leave a stronger community infrastructure than when you started.
Remember the importance of transitions
Transitions are a big deal in this tender.
Pregnancy, parenthood, school, adolescence — each is a critical time for families.
If I were writing this tender, I'd outline a clear plan for supporting families through these stages.
I'd want to see exactly what happens when someone needs extra support during a transition.
Consistency over the whole term
Consistency is crucial.
The Council isn't looking for a flash-in-the-pan service; they want sustained, high-quality delivery over five years.
How will you maintain service standards?
What happens when staff leave or resources are stretched?
This is where your management processes come in.
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
At the heart of this tender are the families and communities of Wigan.
Every answer should come back to one question: How does this make life better for them?
If you can keep that in focus, you'll be on the right track.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on service delivery without community engagement
- Lack evidence of past success in similar projects
- Overlook the importance of peer support networks
- Fail to outline plans for supporting key transitions
- Ignore the role of the VCFSE sector
- Don't address consistency over the contract term
- Provide generic responses not tailored to Wigan's specific needs
My Final Thoughts
Wigan Council is looking for more than a service provider.
They want a partner who will work alongside them to build a stronger community.
With a contract value of £1,250,000 over five years, your written submission needs to reflect the importance of quality and community impact.
Remember, they're not obliged to accept the lowest price.
Quality and community engagement will carry significant weight.
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.