Tender

COMMS-Family Advocacy Service for Bereaved Families following a Death in Prison Custody

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

25 Mar 2026 at 11:02

Planning

09 Dec 2025 at 11:49

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government is actively seeking to commission a Family Advocacy Service dedicated to supporting bereaved families following deaths in prison custody across the region of Scotland (UKM). This procurement, classified under community, social, and personal services (CPV code 98000000), aims to deliver a trauma-informed, independent service emphasizing representation and support throughout post-death processes. The tender is currently at its active stage, with bids closing on 29th April 2026. The procurement method being employed is the open procedure, allowing for electronic submissions tailored to English-speaking businesses. With a focus on quality and community benefits, this service has a contract value of £450,000 and potential for renewal up to two additional 12-month periods, extending possibly till July 2029.

This tender presents significant opportunities for organisations skilled in providing advocacy, social services, and community engagement, particularly those equipped to operate independently from statutory bodies. Ideal candidates would possess expertise in trauma-informed care and advocacy, solid financial health, and effective supply chain management. Businesses with a track record in handling community-based services or those wishing to expand in this sector should consider competing for this contract, as it demands both operational proficiency and a commitment to delivering significant community benefits, including strengthening local capacities and systems around bereaved family support in prison contexts. The emphasis on quality (80% in the award criteria) highlights the procurement's focus on delivering a high-standard, compassionate service.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

COMMS-Family Advocacy Service for Bereaved Families following a Death in Prison Custody

Notice Description

The Scottish Government seeks to commission an independent Family Advocacy Service to provide specialist support and representation to families following the death of a loved one in prison custody. The service will be independent, trauma-informed, and rooted in advocacy principles, ensuring families are supported, heard, and empowered throughout complex post-death processes.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Service Provider must: - Manage, administer and coordinate the delivery of high-quality advocacy support to all eligible Service Users who request support following a death in prison custody. - Design the service to deliver the activities within the Specification. - Put in place systems, agreements and processes to ensure local delivery of advocacy support are consistently available across the whole of Scotland. - Deliver the service independently of both Scottish Ministers, Scottish Prison Service, COPFS, and other statutory bodies. - Monitor service delivery; provide the Purchaser with robust monitoring information; and act when needed to improve services. - Ensure that Service Users, staff and other stakeholders are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

Renewal: Scottish Government reserve the right to extend for up to two 12-month periods to a date no later than 31 July 2029.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f1a6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027219-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
29 Apr 20264 days to go
Future Notice Date
5 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 8LU
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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