Mental Health Services Contract Market Engagement

Contracts Finder - Open Opportunities

Published March 10th, 2026

Detected March 10th, 2026

Summary

Kent County Council has published a market engagement notice for future VCSE Led Mental Health Recovery and Prevention Services. The notice is open for bids until April 16, 2026, with engagement events scheduled for April 21-24, 2026. This is not a call for competition but an opportunity to gather insights for future service delivery.

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What changed

Kent County Council has issued a market engagement notice to gather insights for future VCSE-led Mental Health Recovery and Prevention Services, currently known as Live Well Kent and Medway. The notice specifies that this is not a call for competition but an opportunity for interested organizations, including VCSEs, mental health providers, and community groups, to provide feedback that will inform service delivery. The engagement aims to improve recovery, prevent relapse, enhance health and social care outcomes, reduce suicide risk, and decrease the need for higher-level support for individuals with common and serious mental illness.

Organizations interested in participating must register via a provided link by midday on April 16, 2026. Virtual engagement sessions will be held from April 21-24, 2026, covering topics such as vision, needs, outcomes, innovation, and workforce. While this is a market engagement exercise and not a procurement, the insights gathered will shape the future service, which is set to begin on April 21, 2026, and end on April 26, 2026. There are no direct penalties mentioned for non-participation, but engagement is encouraged to influence future service design.

What to do next

Register interest by completing the provided form before the April 16, 2026 deadline.
Attend one of the virtual engagement sessions scheduled between April 21-24, 2026, to provide feedback on future service delivery.
Review the contract summary and description to understand the scope and objectives of the future mental health services.

Source document (simplified)

Published date: 10 March 2026

Open opportunity - This means that the contract is currently active, and the buying department is looking for potential suppliers to fulfil the contract.

Watch this notice Print this notice Closing: 16 April 2026, 12am

Contract summary

Industry

Community health services - 85323000

Location of contract

South East

Value of contract

£0

Procurement reference

BIP1020545766

Published date

10 March 2026

Closing date

16 April 2026

Closing time

12am

Contract start date

21 April 2026

Contract end date

26 April 2026

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Other: Not Disclosed

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Market Engagement Notice VCSE Led Mental Health Recovery and Prevention Services (currently known as Live Well Kent and Medway) Authority: Kent County Council Registration Form: https://forms.office.com/e/SiajERRCzJ Contact: keri.spring@kent.gov.uk Kent County Council (KCC) is inviting organisations to take part in early market and stakeholder engagement for the future VCSE Led Mental Health Recovery and Prevention Services (currently known as Live Well Kent and Medway). These services aim to aid recovery and prevent relapse, improve health and social care outcomes for individuals with poor mental health and wellbeing, prevent suicide, reduce the stigma of mental illness and reduce or delay the need for additional care and support. Please be advised that this is not a call for competition and should not be perceived as an intention to procure services. The aim of these events is to only gather insights/intelligence, which will be used to inform future service delivery. About the service: The vision for Live Well Kent & Medway is to keep people well and provide a holistic offer of support for individuals living with and without a mental health diagnosis, in line with national and local guidance and protocols. The service supports people with both a Common Mental Illness (CMI) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI) to prevent escalation of need and also provide support as part of their recovery journey. The service aims to: •support recovery and prevent relapse •improve emotional wellbeing and daily living •reduce suicide risk •build social connection •reduce or delay the need for higher level support •improve access and equity across Kent and Medway Interest is welcomed from VCSE organisations, mental health and wellbeing providers, community groups, digital providers, and others who can contribute to preventative, community based, recovery focused support, predominantly for people 17+. Engagement events (all virtual): We will be hosting four virtual sessions, each covering the same content. •Virtual Session 1: 21 April 2026 / 13:30 •Virtual Session 2: 22 April 2026 / 9:30 •Virtual Session 3: 23 April 2026 / 13:30 •Virtual Session 4: 24 April 2026 / 9:30 How to register: Interested organisations must complete the Registration Form (link below) by midday (12 noon) 16 April 2026. https://forms.office.com/e/SiajERRCzJ The council may cancel events if there is little or no response on a particular date. Please ensure that you have registered using the link provided. What we'll cover Each session will include a short overview of the current service and a summary of county level population needs. After this, we will invite participants to share feedback using Mentimeter on the following areas: •vision and future direction •needs and demand •outcomes and what "good" looks like •good practice and innovation •equity and inclusion •workforce and sustainability This will be a chance to hear the current picture and contribute ideas that can help shape a service th