Youth Healthy Relationships Service
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
This isn't just about relationships
When you first glance at this tender, it might seem like it's all about teaching healthy relationships.
But it's much more than that.
Cardiff Council is looking for a service that supports young people in developing safe and healthy personal relationships with a focus on rights, responsibilities and behaviours.
They're not just after educational workshops.
They're after a transformative service that impacts lives.
The contract covers a range of issues, including sexual health, consent, body image, toxic masculinity, misogyny and domestic abuse.
Think about the young people at the heart of this
This service is for children and young people in Cardiff.
Many will be referred through children's social services, schools, Cardiff Youth Service and the Family Advice, Support & Protection Hub.
You're working with a diverse group with varied needs.
If I were writing this tender, I'd be thinking deeply about who these young people are.
What are their challenges?
What support do they need beyond the basics?
Don't underestimate the family approach
One of the standout elements here is the whole family approach.
The service isn't just about working with young people.
It's about involving parents and carers.
Helping them understand and support their child's relationships.
This isn't a common feature in every service.
Emphasise how you'll engage families.
How will you build trust and provide reassurance?
Pay attention to what they say
The tender document is clear about the service's scope.
Advice on safe sexual health, consent, body image and more.
And it's not just about delivering these as standalone topics.
It's about integrating them into a cohesive programme.
They also stress the importance of reducing violence against women and girls.
That theme of safety and respect runs throughout.
Evidence always carries more weight than 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, use it.
Think about:
- Past success stories or case studies
- Testimonials from young people or parents
- Statistics showing the impact of your work
- Training credentials of your staff
Show how you'll manage referrals and partnerships
The tender notes that referrals will primarily come from a network of services.
Children's social services, schools and more.
How will you work effectively with these partners?
How will you ensure that referrals are managed smoothly and efficiently?
I'd want to see clear processes and communication strategies.
Keeping the service consistent
Consistency is key over the term of the contract.
Especially with a service that could extend to 2030.
How will you maintain high standards?
What happens when staff are on leave or if someone leaves the organisation?
Regular training, recruitment strategies and performance reviews are crucial.
Remember the real impact
One thing I'd keep reminding myself is the real-world impact of this service.
You're not just delivering a programme.
You're potentially changing lives.
Keeping young people safe.
Empowering them to make informed decisions.
Every part of your submission should reflect that purpose.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on relationship education without the broader context
- Ignore the importance of family involvement
- Fail to demonstrate past successes with evidence
- Overlook the importance of partnerships and referral management
- Lack detail on maintaining service consistency over the contract duration
- Do not address the themes of safety and respect, especially concerning violence against women and girls
My Final Thoughts
Cardiff Council wants more than just a service provider.
They want a partner who can deliver a transformative programme for young people and families.
With a contract value of £495,000 and the possibility of extending to 2030, it's a significant commitment.
Quality will be as important as price, if not more so.
That's where your written submission carries weight.
Focus on how you can deliver a consistent, impactful service that genuinely makes a 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.