Lead voluntary organisation for co-design and co-delivery of grant funded voluntary sector advice services in Rotherham
The Council is seeking to appoint a lead organisation from among voluntary sector advice providers in Rotherham to develop a co-designed advice service commencing in April 2027. The co-design will lead to three-year service level agreements (from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030) with the partner voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations. A budget of £240,000 per annum is allocated for the delivery of the service level agreement. An increased budget option will also be explored during the co-design process, which will then be considered (relative to service delivery), and subject to confirmation of appropriate funding at a future date.
Specifically, the bid to lead the co-design needs to demonstrate:
- The lead organisation’s legal status and related governance structures;
- The latest annual accounts to evidence the good financial health of the organisation;
- A timetable outlining key steps for co-design process, which should be completed by the end of August 2026;
- The methodology for how the organisation will engage with the other third sector providers in the co-design;
- An outline of how engagement can work around and be improved in the key areas of advice;
- How the other third sector providers will be supported to participate in an integrated model of advice provision, including working with advice and advocacy services provided by the Council. This to include how locality-based VCS organisations can host outreach advice provision, linking with other community services including crisis support, to better meet community needs;
- How referral pathways can be improved between advice and other service providers to ensure that no one gets lost in the system;
- An understanding of changing demands for advice, especially around cost of living issues;
- How services can be developed to reduce waiting times for service users;
- Commitment of management capacity to lead the co-design;
- The lead organisations’ capacity to manage and deliver a project of this size and nature;
- How a commitment to support equalities across all communities (including protected characteristic groups) will be implemented in practice
Bids should be sent in a letter format by e-mail addressing the criteria set out above. The co-design process is outlined in the Rotherham Compact, which sets out the relationship between the Council and VCS in Rotherham. Other information on local priorities is available in the Council Plan and Rotherham Plan.
The closing date for bids is 5pm on Monday 29 June 2026. Bids should be sent to waheed.akhtar@rotherham.gov.uk
For an informal discussion please contact Waheed Akhtar, Communities Manager, Policy, Strategy and Engagement Directorate
Email: waheed.akhtar@rotherham.gov.uk
Telephone: (01709) 822795
