--- title: "Independent advice and support for Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "HOME OFFICE" published: "2021-09-08" --- # Independent advice and support for Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) Buyer: HOME OFFICE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1.json) ## Summary The Home Office is planning to procure independent advice and support services for Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASCs) in England and Wales, with the intent to commence the contract on 1 April 2022. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, and registered suppliers can express their interest by participating in an early engagement session scheduled for September 2021. Interested parties must register on the Home Office eSourcing Suite and use a valid DUNS number. The main industry category for this tender is social work and related services, with key activities focusing on welfare provision and assistance throughout the asylum application process. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses in the social services and humanitarian support sectors, particularly those specialising in welfare services for children and young people. Organisations with experience in providing guidance, counselling, and ongoing support services tailored to vulnerable populations are well-suited to compete for this contract. The involvement of non-governmental organisations could be particularly valuable, enabling effective delivery of independent support to UASCs, thus contributing to their safeguarding and welfare needs under the responsibilities outlined in the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. ## Notice The Home Office is seeking to procure the provision of independent end-to-end advice, support and signposting assistance throughout the asylum application process in England and Wales for Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children (UASC). The content of this PIN, including the nature of works, services and estimated value, may be subject to change. The contract will commence on 1st April 2022 and is expected to be in place for three financial years. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The Home Office is the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counter-terrorism and police. It is responsible for controlling migration for the economic benefit of the country and protecting its borders. It gives permission to those who wish to come to the UK to work or study. It also supports those with genuine protection needs who have come to the UK as asylum seekers, with humanitarian protection needs and those who settle as refugees. This includes work with some of the most vulnerable in our society and we put people at the heart of all that we do. The Home Office has a duty under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to ensure that all functions "safeguard and promote the welfare of children," and that "any services provided by another person pursuant to arrangements which are made by the Secretary of State are provided having regard to that need." The future contract contributes to meeting this obligation, ensuring that UASC can adequately access the services and support they are entitled to. It is important operationally that this support is independent to the Home Office, in order to complement the asylum system functions delivered by the Home Office for UASC. Furthermore, for some children, who have a fear of state persecution in their countries of origin, support from a non-governmental organisation can be invaluable. The Home Office is seeking to procure a provider or providers that will support its Section 55 duties. This will include, but will not be limited to, the activities set out below across England and Wales: * Act in the best interests of children at all times, including having close regard to safeguarding concerns. Lot 1- Initial support for UASC at Dover port. * Provide a 24/7 support service at the port of Dover. To provide initial advice and support appropriate to the needs of newly arrived children at the port, prior to them being taken into the care of a local authority. Lot 2- Ongoing support for UASC across England and Wales * Assist UASC, and those responsible for their care, to understand the end to end asylum process; including helping UASC to advise the Home Office of material changes in their circumstances, provide a general advice and signposting service to UASC following an asylum decision and as appropriate, inform the child of the Assisted Voluntary Returns programme, and provide impartial advice on this. * As appropriate, act as Responsible Adults for children at substantive asylum interviews and other asylum process events. * Where children do not have existing legal representation for their asylum application, to refer to a Legal Aid Agency accredited legal representative, or to offer the necessary information to the relevant social worker or carer. * Assist children to understand their rights and responsibilities while being a looked after child in England, and to make relevant referrals as necessary to support them with this. * Work with Local Authorities to make sure that children are receiving the right level of support, including but not limited to accommodation, education, and mental and emotional health support. * As appropriate, assist the child to make positive cultural connections. The content of this PIN, including the nature of works, services and estimated value, may be the subject to change. Lot 2 The Home Office is the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, fire, counter-terrorism and police. It is responsible for controlling migration for the economic benefit of the country and protecting its borders. It gives permission to those who wish to come to the UK to work or study. It also supports those with genuine protection needs who have come to the UK as asylum seekers, with humanitarian protection needs and those who settle as refugees. This includes work with some of the most vulnerable in our society and we put people at the heart of all that we do. The Home Office has a duty under Section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to ensure that all functions "safeguard and promote the welfare of children," and that "any services provided by another person pursuant to arrangements which are made by the Secretary of State are provided having regard to that need." The future contract contributes to meeting this obligation, ensuring that UASC can adequately access the services and support they are entitled to. It is important operationally that this support is independent to the Home Office, in order to complement the asylum system functions delivered by the Home Office for UASC. Furthermore, for some children, who have a fear of state persecution in their countries of origin, support from a non-governmental organisation can be invaluable. The Home Office is seeking to procure a provider or providers that will support its Section 55 duties. This will include, but will not be limited to, the activities set out below across England and Wales: * Act in the best interests of children at all times, including having close regard to safeguarding concerns. Lot 1- Initial support for UASC at Dover port. * Provide a 24/7 support service at the port of Dover. To provide initial advice and support appropriate to the needs of newly arrived children at the port, prior to them being taken into the care of a local authority. Lot 2- Ongoing support for UASC across England and Wales * Assist UASC, and those responsible for their care, to understand the end to end asylum process; including helping UASC to advise the Home Office of material changes in their circumstances, provide a general advice and signposting service to UASC following an asylum decision and as appropriate, inform the child of the Assisted Voluntary Returns programme, and provide impartial advice on this. * As appropriate, act as Responsible Adults for children at substantive asylum interviews and other asylum process events. * Where children do not have existing legal representation for their asylum application, to refer to a Legal Aid Agency accredited legal representative, or to offer the necessary information to the relevant social worker or carer. * Assist children to understand their rights and responsibilities while being a looked after child in England, and to make relevant referrals as necessary to support them with this. * Work with Local Authorities to make sure that children are receiving the right level of support, including but not limited to accommodation, education, and mental and emotional health support. * As appropriate, assist the child to make positive cultural connections. The content of this PIN, including the nature of works, services and estimated value, may be the subject to change. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022338-2021 | | Notice type | Planning Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 8 Sep 2021 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 3 Oct 2021 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | HOME OFFICE | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 4DF | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | TLJ4 Kent | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85300000 - Social work and related services - 85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people - 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services - 85312310 - Guidance services - 85312320 - Counselling services - 85312400 - Welfare services not delivered through residential institutions - 85321000 - Administrative social services ## Release History - 8 Sep 2021 at 21:45 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022338-2021 ## Notice URLs - http://www.gov.uk/home-office - https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02deb1.json.