Open21 days left · closes 11:59pm, Tuesday 20 October 2026

Appropriate Adult Service.

Durham County Council · Local authority

In brief

Durham County Council is looking for suppliers for care and healthcare work (North East).

The estimated value is £435,287 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 40 months, up to 64 months with extensions, starting 1 December 2026.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at 11:59pm, Tuesday 20 October 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by: midday, Monday 12 October 2026
Bids by: 11:59pm, Tuesday 20 October 2026

Competition

Usually high: a median of 13 bids per contract for this buyer (from 85 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

Durham County Council has a requirement for an Appropriate Adult Service. An Appropriate Adult (AA) service is a safeguarding service used in the criminal justice system to protect the rights and welfare of vulnerable people when they are involved with the police. It exists because some people may not fully understand police procedures or be able to communicate effectively without support. The Service is delivered from a central custody suite in Spennymoor, County Durham, however on occasions Appropriate Adults may be required to attend alternative locations when a voluntary attendance interview is undertaken. The AA service currently assists custody for vulnerable adults and children on a call out basis as and when required. For adults this service is 24/7 and for children this is out of hours including bank holidays.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 21 days?Leave time for clarification questions and sign-off.
Is a contract of about £435,287 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in North East?Check the delivery locations in the tender documents.
Are you registered on the Central Digital Platform?You need to be registered to take part under the Procurement Act 2023.
The buyer says this suits small businesses.A good sign if you are an SME, but check the requirements.

How to bid

Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
Send clarification questions before midday, Monday 12 October 2026.
Make sure your bid arrives before 11:59pm, Tuesday 20 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Timeline

12 May 2026Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 043345-2026
22 September 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 089789-2026

About the buyer

Durham County CouncilLast 12 months

Procurements

267

Awards

159

Suppliers it has used most for care

All tenders and awards from Durham County Council

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From notice 043345-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 12 May 2026, last updated 22 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.