Infant Feeding, Breastfeeding Peer Support Service

Tender description

This Prior Information Notice is in advance of the publication of the Contract Notice and Invitation to Tender for Infant Feeding, Breastfeeding Peer Support Service for Lancashire County Council. Lancashire County Council as the Procurement lead acting on behalf of Public Health commissioners would like to notify suitably qualified and experienced providers that the Authority aims to publish this opportunity in early September 2023. If you are interested in bidding for this opportunity, you are invited to register on: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/fusion-supplier-portal/ Lot 1: Lancashire County Council is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of babies and children via the Council's 'Best Start in Life' and 'Healthy Heart's' priorities. We strive to reduce health inequalities across Lancashire by supporting those women who are least likely to initiate breastfeeding or to continue breastfeeding and focus on creating and maintaining an accepting community culture whereby mothers feel confident, secure, and safe to breastfeed throughout Lancashire. As such, we are excited to seek tenders from providers regarding the recommission of the Infant Feeding Breastfeeding Support Service. We are seeking a flexible and innovative approach to Breastfeeding Peer Support with a particular focus on improving breastfeeding prevalence rates for babies at 6-8 weeks of age. The Service will be led by appropriately trained Peer Supporters and will incorporate valuable Breastfeeding Peer Support volunteers. As a commissioned service of Lancashire County Council Public Health, you will also form part of Lancashire's Family Hub network and work collaboratively with other professionals and stake holders to deliver a whole system approach to the promotion of breastfeeding. We are extremely proud of our BFI accreditation award and require the Provider to support the maintenance of our Gold award by supporting other partners and adhering to the Baby Friendly (BFI) standards and code of conduct. By promoting an increase in breastfeeding prevalence, you will be indirectly supporting the Lancashire community to reduce hospital admissions for those under the age of 1, reduce infant mortality rates, improve child development at 2-2.5 years of age, improve school readiness, reduce the numbers of those living with obesity and improve the oral health of children and therefore future adults. Delivery of the Infant Feeding Breastfeeding Support Service will be offered as a single countywide contract through a single lot. The tenderer will be permitted to sub-contract the services or operate as a consortium.