Award

DOL - Children's Services Advocacy Support and Legal Representation

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

11 Mar 2026 at 14:02

Tender

16 Dec 2025 at 14:48

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government has awarded a contract for "DOL - Children's Services Advocacy Support and Legal Representation," focusing on providing Advocacy Support and Legal Advice services for children aged 12-15. The procurement, classified under "Legal representation services," was conducted through an open procedure with the aim of delivering services in accordance with the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 and its amendment in 2016. The contract, initiated as a tender, reached the award stage on the 6th of March 2026, with the key service delivery region being UKM. The buyer, Scottish Government, emphasises Fair Work Practices, mandating the payment of the real Living Wage, with Award Criteria of 70% on quality and 30% on price. It culminated in a contract valued at £1,241,350.18, with Partners in Advocacy appointed as the active supplier.

This procurement highlights substantial opportunities for growth for SMEs, specifically those proficient in Advocacy and Legal services tailored to children's welfare. Businesses capable of fostering partnerships and adhering to legal frameworks under Scots Law, such as members of the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance and those regulated by the Law Society of Scotland, are well-positioned to compete. Additionally, requirements regarding environmental management measures and robust supply chain systems offer a competitive advantage to firms with sustainability practices. Entities with capabilities in legal representation, youth welfare, and service collaboration can leverage this contract to expand their operations and strengthen their industry footprint.

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Notice Title

DOL - Children's Services Advocacy Support and Legal Representation

Notice Description

The Scottish Government has awarded a contract 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.

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/021797-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

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
SME

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
£1,241,350 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 Mar 20261 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PARTNERS IN ADVOCACY

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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