Peer Support Offer - Perinatal Mental Health (Family Hubs)

An offer of informal peer-led support for parents of infants in Thurrock focussing on supporting them to improve their mental health and improve the familial relationships.

Thurrock Council requires a Provider to deliver a peer support offer for those with perinatal mental health issues or difficulties with parent-infant relationships. This offer is to span from pregnancy up to the child's second birthday in line with the Family Hubs / Start for Life programme guidance.

Working in partnership with the Family Hubs, maternity, perinatal mental health services, and voluntary sector partners, the Provider will offer peer support to all first-time pregnant women within the Family Hub areas and vulnerable pregnant women having subsequent babies. This universal approach of being seen to be offered to all, will reduce feelings of stigma whilst enabling more intensive peer support to be prioritised to those facing barriers to Family Hub services e.g., socially isolated parents and those experiencing language, cultural or mental health issues.

Thurrock Council is intending to award this contract to the existing provider following Direct Award Process C under the Provider Selection Regime.

The contract is proposed to start on 1st July 2026 and end on 31st March 2029.