Healthy Child Programme (0-19 years)

Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice

Contracting Authority - Wirral Council

Service - 0-19 Healthy Child Programme

CPV Code - 85100000-0 Health Services

Provider Selection Regime Compliance

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice. The award of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.

The Contracting Authority intends to award the contract using Direct Award Process C, having determined that the existing provider is satisfying the current contract and is likely to satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard having regard to the key criteria and basic selection criteria set out in the Regulations.

This notice serves as an intention to award only. The contract has not yet been formally awarded.

Service Overview

The Healthy Child Programme is an evidence-based universal public health programme available to all children and young people. Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that every child and young person up to the age of 19 years, and up to 25 years for young people with SEND where applicable, has access to the programme.

The programme aims to provide children with the best possible start in life through prevention, early intervention, health improvement and tailored support. Its universal reach enables early identification of need, helping to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for children, young people and families.

Standstill Period

The standstill period will commence on Wednesday 29th July 2026 and will end at midnight on Friday 7th August 2026. (8 working days).

Representations from providers regarding the proposed award must be submitted to the decision-makers before the end of the standstill period.

Representations

Providers wishing to make representations concerning the proposed contract award should submit these in writing to procurementpeople@wirral.gov.uk by no later than 7th August 2026.

Assessment Against Key Criteria

The Contracting Authority considered the following key criteria in reaching its decision:

Quality and Innovation - 35%

Value - 15%

Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability - 25%

Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities and Facilitating Choice - 15%

Social Value - 10%

The Authority is satisfied that the incumbent provider continues to meet the requirements of the service and remains capable of delivering the proposed contract to a sufficient standard Award Decision-Makers

The following individuals participated in, the award decision:

Conflicts of Interest

In accordance with the Provider Selection Regime and the Council's governance arrangements, all individuals involved in the consideration, assessment and award decision were required to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest.

No actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest were declared by any individual involved in the decision-making process. Consequently, no conflict management or mitigation measures were required, and the award decision was reached objectively, transparently, and in accordance with the requirements of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

Justification for Service Specification

The Authority has reviewed the proposed service specification and confirms that:

Justification for Direct Award Process C

The Contracting Authority has determined that Direct Award Process C is the appropriate procurement route for this service.

The 0-19 Healthy Child Programme is a statutory public health service delivered to all children and young people aged 0-19 years (and up to 25 years for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities where applicable). Continuity, integration and established partnership working are critical to achieving the required public health outcomes.

The current provider, Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (WCHCT), whose principal place of business is at St Catherine's Health Centre, Derby Road, Birkenhead, CH42 0LQ has demonstrated that it is satisfactorily delivering the existing contract and is likely to satisfy the requirements of the proposed contract to a sufficient standard.

In reaching this conclusion, the Authority has considered that the provider:

The Authority also notes that there is a limited provider market with the capability and infrastructure necessary to deliver this specialist public health service at the required scale and quality. Furthermore, the existing contractual and system arrangements support effective integrated delivery through an NHS provider model.

Compliance with PSR Requirements

The Authority has undertaken a robust and proportionate assessment in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and relevant statutory guidance.

The assessment considered and evidenced compliance by WCHCT with the following Key Criteria

The Authority is satisfied that:

Accordingly, the Authority intends to award the contract to Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust under Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process C following completion of the standstill period, subject to consideration of any representations received.