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Pre paid card system for use with children and young people who are looked after and care leavers

Somerset Council · Local authority

In brief

Somerset Council has announced plans to buy IT and software work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The notice does not state a value.

The contract runs for 1 year, starting 1 September 2026.

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

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

Can I win this?

Competition

Usually high: a median of 7 bids per contract for this buyer (from 19 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

Somerset Council is undertaking soft market testing to inform the potential future procurement of a pre paid card system for use with children and young people who are looked after and care leavers. The Authority is exploring alternatives to current cash based arrangements, with the aim of improving safeguarding, financial oversight, operational efficiency, and outcomes for young people. A 12 month pilot is being considered to assess feasibility, usage, and value for money. This exercise is non binding, will not form part of any evaluation, and will be used solely to shape the Authority's commissioning and procurement approach. What is needed: The proposed solution would be used by: • Young people and care leavers (typically aged 16-25) • Social workers and leaving care professionals authorised to allocate and monitor funds The system would support: • One off and recurring payments • Day to day living expenses • Reduced reliance on cash payments

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. 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.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 041290-2026

About the buyer

Somerset CouncilLast 12 months

Procurements

281

Awards

221

Suppliers it has used most for IT and software

All tenders and awards from Somerset Council

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From notice 041290-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 6 May 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.