CivTech 12.5 - How can technology support multi agency processes for the protection of children in Scotland?

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

08 Sep 2026 at 14:05

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government is seeking technology and related consultancy services to improve multi-agency processes for protecting children in Scotland. The requirement focuses on Inter-Agency Referral Discussions, which support safeguarding decisions but are currently affected by fragmented IT systems, manual work and local records. The successful solution should enable secure, streamlined information sharing between agencies and local authorities, while providing real-time local and national data to improve child protection outcomes. The work is being pursued with Police Scotland and the National Social Work Agency. It covers information systems, software development, IT consulting and support services, delivered across Scotland. The procurement is intended to reduce duplication and delays and free administrative capacity for direct support to children and families.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission. It is divided into one lot. The estimated value is £650,000. The tender deadline is 20 October 2026 at 12:00, when bids will also be opened and the award period begins. The contract is for 720 days, with possible extensions required to deliver the work. Bids must remain valid for 180 days after submission. Evaluation is based entirely on technical quality, weighted at 100%; price carries a weighting of 0%. Variants are not allowed. The contract supports electronic ordering and electronic payment, and permits electronic invoicing. English is the submission language.

This opportunity suits technology businesses, research and development teams, software developers, IT consultancies and suppliers experienced in designing or delivering information systems and support services. Strong candidates will be able to understand complex safeguarding workflows and develop practical technology for secure information sharing across multiple agencies and local authorities. Relevant capability includes connecting fragmented systems, reducing manual processes and duplication, and presenting timely data for local and national decision-making. The requirement is particularly relevant to organisations able to work collaboratively with public-sector and frontline child-protection partners, co-produce solutions and develop innovative products. Suppliers should be able to deliver and support a solution across Scotland and sustain the required service over the contract period, including any agreed extension.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

CivTech 12.5 - How can technology support multi agency processes for the protection of children in Scotland?

Notice Description

This Challenge presents an exciting opportunity to make a positive difference in protecting children in Scotland from harm, an area of the highest priority for the Scottish Cabinet and partners. Scotland's child protection system relies on Inter-Agency Referral Discussions (IRDs) to make timely safeguarding decisions for children (over 17,000 IRDs took place during 2024-25). IRDs are effective and work well as a process, however they are currently supported by fragmented IT systems, manual processes and localised records. This results in duplication, delays, and barriers to information sharing across agencies and local authorities. These inefficiencies increase administrative burden, reducing time available for direct support to children and families. The Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the National Social Work Agency (TBC) are seeking innovative solutions that will enable secure streamlined multi-agency information sharing for the existing IRD process, as well as providing real-time local and national data to improve child protection outcomes across Scotland.

Lot Information

Lot 1

About CivTech CivTech's mission is to drive daring and innovation in the public sector by collaboratively solving Challenges that make people's lives better - and in doing so create generations of sustainable, high growth businesses. CivTech brings together public sector expertise and private sector innovation to solve real problems, develop new products, and deliver better, faster and easier services for everyone. Central to the approach is co-production with the citizen. Part of the Scottish Government's Directorate for Digital, CivTech's approach is helping transform public sector engagement with tech and innovation, delivering significant benefits to public services, producing genuine uplifts for the Scottish economy - and along the way, making lives better. Across the country there are problems public sector organisations would like to solve and in the current environment the need for smart, efficient and effective products has never been greater. The Scottish Government is aware innovation is a good way to create them and is committed to ensuring a large part of its tech spend goes to innovative businesses - whatever stage they're at, or size they are. This is where CivTech comes in. The CivTech Innovation Flow is designed to create products as quickly and effectively as possible, and uses a true Accelerator model at the heart of its Innovation Flow model. For you - whether you're an individual, team or company - it's an opportunity to take on a Challenge, solve it, and win contracts with a blue-chip public sector organisation. You'll build a product, and a business to take it as far as possible. Because here's the kicker: the Challenges we issue aren't 'single organisation' problems - most of the problems we are solving exist worldwide. In short: Open Challenges are set. Any organisation, team or individual can respond. Applications are assessed, and shortlisted proposals go into an Exploration Stage where they're developed further together with the Challenge Sponsor and the CivTech [for which participating applicants are paid]. The best go through to the Accelerator - a period of intensive work to create the solution, and through CivTech's unique business growth workshop system, a business capable of taking the product to the world. Please visit our website for information on CivTech and how to get involved https://www.civtech.scot/how-to-apply-civtech-12 https://www.civtech.scot/civtech-12-challenge-5-supporting-multiagency-processes-for-the-protection-of-children-in-Scotland

Renewal: Extensions may be required in order to deliver this work

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f499
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084917-2026
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

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

48810000 - Information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£650,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£650,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
20 Oct 20262 months to go
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
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
Postcode Area
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)

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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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