Young Carers services across Camden and Islington
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
The heart of this tender is about choice and individuality
When you look at this contract, don't get caught up in just delivering services.
Think about what Camden and Islington are really buying.
They're buying a service that respects the individuality of young carers.
A service that offers them choices and treats them as people, not just carers.
Yes, you're working with children and young people aged 5-17.
But what the council really wants is for these young carers to feel supported and heard.
Don't lose sight of the carers' rights
This isn't just about providing care.
It's about recognising the rights of young carers.
They have the right to be involved in planning and delivering the services they use.
The buyer will be looking for a bidder who understands this and can demonstrate how they'll uphold these rights.
I'd focus on how your service will empower young carers to participate in decision-making.
Think about the challenges young carers face
Young carers are in a unique position.
They juggle caring responsibilities with school, friendships and their own personal development.
If I were evaluating bids, I'd want to see how you recognise these challenges.
How will your service help young carers manage their responsibilities without sacrificing their childhood?
It's not just about delivering services. It's about coordination.
Coordination is key in this tender.
The buyer is looking for a service that provides "appropriate and coordinated support from the relevant agencies."
That means working collaboratively with schools, healthcare providers and social services.
Think about how you’ll ensure seamless communication and shared goals across these sectors.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that almost every bidder claimed to deliver an excellent service.
Very few proved it.
If you have evidence of successful coordination and support in similar contexts, use it.
Consider including:
- Testimonials from young carers or their families
- Case studies of successful outcomes
- Statistics demonstrating improved wellbeing or school performance
- Examples of effective partnerships with other agencies
Pay attention to what they say
The buyer is clear about what they value.
They want a service that respects choice, individuality and rights.
They’ve also highlighted the importance of coordination.
This means they’re looking for a provider who can balance these elements effectively.
That's what I'd build my submission around.
Remember who you're trying to convince
The people reading your bid aren't just procurement officers.
They're stakeholders in the welfare of young carers.
Show them you understand what it means to be a young carer.
Reflect on how your service will genuinely improve their lives.
Consistency is the hardest thing to deliver — and buyers know it
When you're planning your response, think long term.
The contract is for three years, with an option to extend for another two.
Buyers will be looking for assurances that your service will remain consistent over time.
How will you manage staff turnover?
What processes will you put in place to ensure continuity of care?
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
This contract is about people, not just services.
It's about young carers who need support and understanding.
As you draft your responses, keep asking yourself:
"How will this improve the life of a young carer?"
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on service delivery without considering young carers' rights
- Overlook the importance of coordination with other agencies
- Fail to provide evidence of successful outcomes
- Ignore the need for consistency over the contract term
- Treat young carers as a homogenous group without recognising their individuality
- Lack a clear plan for involving young carers in service planning and delivery
My Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing this tender is clear about, it’s the need for a service that respects young carers' rights and individuality.
With a value of £968,792 over three years, extendable to five and a focus on quality and coordination, the written submission carries significant weight.
Show the buyer how you'll make a real difference in the lives of young carers across Camden and Islington.
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.