Tender

DOL - Children's Services Advocacy Support and Legal Representation

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

16 Dec 2025 at 14:48

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government is currently in the tender stage of a procurement process titled "DOL - Children's Services Advocacy Support and Legal Representation," which falls under the services category, specifically legal representation services (CPV: 79112000). This opportunity, active since December 2025, invites proposals until 12:00 pm on 20th January 2026 and involves the delivery of advocacy and legal support services to children aged 12-15 as per the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. The contract, valued at £1,335,000, requires the winning bidder to provide services in the UKM region over 720 days, with the possibility of a 12-month extension. The procurement method utilised is an open procedure.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in legal and advocacy services, specifically those experienced in children’s welfare and legal advice. Companies that are full members of the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) and hold Scots Law qualifications, particularly solicitors qualified in the LLB plus Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, are well-positioned to compete for this contract. The procurement stipulates a strong focus on quality criteria, accounting for 70% of the evaluation compared to 30% for price. Businesses with sustainable supply chain management practices and a commitment to prompt subcontractor payments, as well as a robust environmental management strategy, will meet the selection criteria. This tender could foster growth and establish a fruitful partnership with the Scottish Government, boosting the visibility and credentials of qualified legal service providers in the children’s advocacy sector.

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Notice Title

DOL - Children's Services Advocacy Support and Legal Representation

Notice Description

The Scottish Government is seeking a supplier to provide a demand led service for both Advocacy Support and Legal Advice service to children, aged 12-15. The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (2004 Act) provides the legal framework for the provision of additional support for learning. The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (2016 Act) amends the 2004 Act to provide that children (aged between 12-15 with capacity) can access certain rights conferred on them by the 2004 Act.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This service provision consists of the management/ administration and delivery of the following: 1) Advocacy support - to support children to prepare to use their rights, use their rights and understand the outcome of using their rights, and to support children to understand the outcome where their parents have used their rights in relation to the child. 2) Legal representation - to provide advice and representation in support of children using their rights to make a reference to the Additional Support Needs jurisdiction of the Health and Education Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (ASN Tribunal). These must be able to be delivered in partnership with the Advice and Information service provided by Enquire and the service which seeks children's views. All organisations involved in delivering the four elements of the service will work collaboratively to support children in accessing their rights, in relation to additional support for learning. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts Scotland.

Renewal: Optional 12 month extension will be included.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f6e1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083438-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender 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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

79112000 - Legal representation services

85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,335,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
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
Not specified
Contact Email
michael.brydon@gov.scot
Contact Phone
+44 412425466

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH6 6QQ
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Leith
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh North and Leith

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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