Informal Carers Support Service - Soft Market Test

Current contractual arrangements for services that support informal young carers and carers end in June 2026. Cornwall Council is, therefore, conducting a soft market test to gain an understanding of the potential level of interest in providing an all-age Informal Carers Support Service from 1 July 2026 and in the specific requirements of any future procurement.

It is intended that the responses supplied in this soft market test will enable the Council to refine the final approach to the procurement.

This exercise is not a call for competition, implies no commercial commitment and is not a formal tender document. Any future related procurement process will be compliant with the Procurement Regulations 2024.

The issuing of this document and the carrying out of this market engagement does not commit the Council to commencing any related procurement process or to a single means of procurement. In case of an unsatisfactory level of competition in the market, able to fulfil the Council’s requirements, the Council reserves the right to take appropriate action necessary in line with the Procurement Regulations 2024 to ensure continuity of service provision.

Participation in this soft market testing exercise will not prejudice suppliers participating in any future procurement. Information provided will be held in confidence by the Council.

If you are interested in this area of service provision and helping us with our assessment of the market and/or helping with shaping the specification, please download and complete the soft market test document from the ProContract eTendering platform and return it ahead of the deadline of 12:00 Noon 12/12/2025.