Young People's Wellbeing Service
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
Don't just focus on the service — think about impact
Manchester City Council isn't just looking for a service provider.
They're looking for a partner who can make a real difference in young people's lives.
The service will cover person-centred health and wellbeing support, accessible information, peer support, workforce training and much more.
But the core aim is to promote positive physical and mental health, address social determinants and reduce inequalities.
That's what I'd dig into.
Think about what young people need
The end users here are young people.
Their needs are at the heart of this service.
If I were writing this tender, I'd want to show I understand their challenges and how our service can meet those needs.
- What are the specific health and wellbeing issues young people face in Manchester?
- How will your service be accessible and inclusive for all?
- Can you demonstrate a clear understanding of the social determinants affecting their health?
These are the questions I'd expect to see answered.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that almost every bidder promised great outcomes.
But not everyone could back it up.
Evidence matters.
If you can show you've delivered similar services successfully before, use that.
- Case studies of past projects
- Testimonials from young people or families
- Data showing improvements in health outcomes
These are powerful tools.
Pay attention to what they say
The Council is clear on their priorities.
They want a service that reduces health inequalities through prevention and early intervention.
They also mention the importance of peer support and involving young people with lived experience.
This isn't just nice to have. It's central.
Your response should reflect that focus.
Remember the wider context
This service isn't working in isolation.
It's part of a bigger picture addressing health and social care in Manchester.
Think about how your service fits into that.
- How will you collaborate with other services?
- What partnerships will you build?
- Can you show how your approach complements existing initiatives?
These are the connections I'd want to make.
Show how you'll manage the service consistently
Consistency is key.
Especially over a three-year term, potentially extending to five.
I'd want to see plans for maintaining quality and addressing challenges like staff turnover or resource allocation.
- Regular monitoring and evaluation processes
- Clear management structures
- Contingency plans for potential disruptions
These are essential.
Don't underestimate the role of workforce training
The tender highlights workforce training and development.
This isn't just an add-on.
Training is crucial for delivering a high-quality service.
I'd focus on:
- How you'll train staff to meet young people's needs
- Developing skills and knowledge in the workforce
- Creating opportunities for young people themselves to gain skills
This is part of the service's core offer.
Think about the long-term impact
This isn't just about immediate outcomes.
It's about sustainable change.
The council is looking for a service that creates lasting improvements in young people's health and wellbeing.
- How will you track long-term outcomes?
- What measures will you put in place to ensure sustainability?
- Can you demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement?
I'd weave these ideas throughout my response.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus narrowly on service delivery without considering impact
- Lack evidence of past success
- Ignore the importance of peer support or lived experience
- Fail to show understanding of health inequalities
- Overlook the role of workforce training
- Provide generic responses that don't relate to Manchester's context
- Neglect to address long-term sustainability
- Miss opportunities for collaboration and partnership
My Final Thoughts
Manchester City Council is looking for a partner, not just a provider.
A partner who can deliver a service that genuinely improves young people's health and wellbeing.
With a contract value of £3,125,000 over three years, potentially extending to five, this is a significant opportunity.
The emphasis on prevention, early intervention and reducing inequalities means your written submission needs to be strong.
Evidence is crucial.
Quality will likely carry significant weight, so focus on demonstrating your ability to deliver a service that makes a real difference.
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.