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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 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government is procuring an innovative technology service to improve Inter-Agency Referral Discussions (IRDs), the multi-agency safeguarding process used to make timely decisions about children at risk in Scotland. The requirement is intended to replace fragmented IT systems, manual processes and local records with secure, streamlined information sharing between agencies and local authorities. It also seeks real-time local and national data to improve child protection outcomes and reduce administrative work. The challenge is sponsored by the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and the National Social Work Agency, with the latter identified as subject to confirmation. Delivery is across Scotland. This is a public-sector digital and data service opportunity, classified under CPV 73000000, with related information technology service classifications 48810000 and 72000000.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission in English. It comprises one lot under the CivTech innovation flow, which includes application assessment, an Exploration Stage and possible progression to an Accelerator. The submission deadline and bid opening are both 20 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The contract period is 720 days, with possible extensions required to deliver the work. Its estimated value is £650,000 including the single lot. Bids must remain valid for 180 days. Evaluation is based entirely on technical quality, weighted at 100%; price carries 0%. Electronic payment and ordering will be used, and electronic invoicing is allowed.

This opportunity suits technology businesses, specialist teams and individual innovators able to develop and deliver secure systems for multi-agency information sharing. Strong candidates will be able to integrate fragmented systems and local records, support timely safeguarding workflows, and provide reliable real-time reporting at local and national level. Relevant capability includes secure data architecture, interoperability, workflow design, analytics and user-centred service development, particularly where solutions can be co-produced with public-sector professionals and citizens. Experience of child protection, social care, policing or other sensitive public services would be well aligned with the challenge. CivTech is designed to work with organisations at different stages and sizes, including businesses developing a product with wider commercial potential.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

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

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000842314
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564054
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract 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

Buyer & Supplier

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
Postcode Area
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564054
    CivTech 12.5 - How can technology support multi agency processes for the protection of children in Scotland? - 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.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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