Independent Adult Advocacy Service - Generic, Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) and Independent Mental Health Advocacy
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
The biggest clue is in the word "Independent"
If I were evaluating bids for this contract, I'd focus on one word: independent.
North East Lincolnshire Borough Council isn't just looking for any advocacy service.
They want a service where independence is at the core, ensuring unbiased support for adults under the Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act and Care Act.
Yes, it's about providing advocacy.
But more than that, it's about ensuring each person's rights are upheld without external influence.
Think about the people you're supporting
The people benefiting from this service are at the heart of what you’re providing.
Adults with health and social care needs.
Many of whom might feel their voices often go unheard.
Your submission should reflect an understanding of their diverse needs.
It's not just about ticking statutory boxes.
It's about understanding their stories, their contexts and how you can truly empower them.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that almost every bidder promised to uphold standards.
But only a few backed it with evidence.
For this tender:
- Show previous success in similar advocacy roles
- Provide testimonials or case studies
- Demonstrate tangible outcomes you've achieved
The Council will be looking for concrete evidence of your capability.
Pay attention to what they say
The service must be "person-centred, accessible and responsive."
These aren't just buzzwords.
They're priorities.
Your response should demonstrate how you’ll ensure accessibility for all, responsiveness in service delivery and a person-centred approach.
I'd detail how your systems and processes embody these principles.
Don't just focus on statutory advocacy
While statutory advocacy is crucial, remember that non-statutory advocacy is also part of this tender.
Many bidders might concentrate solely on IMCA and IMHA services.
But the Council also values non-statutory support.
Highlight how you provide comprehensive advocacy beyond statutory requirements.
Managing consistency over the contract term
Consistency is key.
I'd want to know how you plan to deliver consistent service throughout the contract's duration.
Think about staffing.
Not just recruitment, but retention and training to ensure advocacy is delivered effectively.
Describe your strategies for ongoing training and development.
Show how you'll make life easier for the Council
Every contract creates work for the client.
But the best services reduce that workload.
If I were writing this tender, I'd explain how my service management processes make life easier for the Council.
Show them how you’ll manage the contract with minimal oversight needed from their end.
Remember the local context
North East Lincolnshire has its own unique challenges and demographics.
Your approach should reflect an understanding of the local area.
This is not just about providing a generic service.
It's about tailoring your advocacy to the specific needs and expectations of the community.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Overlook the importance of independence in advocacy
- Fail to provide evidence of past successes
- Offer generic responses without localisation
- Ignore non-statutory advocacy requirements
- Lack detail on managing consistency over the contract term
- Present proposals that aren't clearly accessible or responsive
- Focus only on statutory advocacy elements
My Final Thoughts
This isn't just about advocacy.
It's about ensuring that every adult in North East Lincolnshire has a voice when it matters most.
The contract's value is £1,563,390, and with that comes the responsibility to deliver a service that is truly person-centred and independent.
Quality matters here.
If the weightings lean heavily towards quality, then your written submission must be top-notch.
Focus on demonstrating how you embody the principles they value.
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.