Services for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in Highland

Notice summary

Tender will be uploaded onto PCS-Tender during week commencing 19th October 2026 with an anticipated upload date of 21st October 2026 (further details of project number below). Credit Checks: 1.The Council shall obtain a Creditsafe credit check and will score bidders accordingly: 71 - 100 Very Low Risk – Accept 51 - 70 Low Risk - Accept 30 - 50 Moderate Risk – subject to further discussion internally with the option to reject. 21-29 High Risk – subject to further discussion internally with the option to reject. 1-20 Very High Risk – Reject. *The following applies if no credit check can be undertaken: 2. Please state current turnover (if contract value is over 50% of reported turnover, further discussion will be had internally with the option to reject). 3. If you are under no obligation to publish accounts on Companies House and/or do not have a comprehensive credit rating then provide audited financial accounts for the previous two years. Both quick and current ratios should be a minimum of 1:1.5 for the two successive years. Bidders whose ratios do not meet the minimum criteria will be rejected. Bidders who can provide audited accounts but chose not to do so shall be rejected. 4. Bidders who have been trading for less than one year and cannot provide audited accounts must submit the cash flow for the current year and a letter from the bank outlining the current cash and credit position for the current year and subsequent year. This will be subject to internal discussion with the option to reject. 5. If bidder still does not meet the financial criteria for consideration but has a parent company that does, the firm may still be eligible for consideration where their submission is supported by a parent company guarantee. Insurance: It is a requirement of this contract that bidders hold, or can commit to obtain prior to the commencement of any subsequently awarded contract, the types and levels of insurance indicated below: Employer’s Liability Insurance = GBP10m Public Liability Insurance = GBP5m The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 32999. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: Community Benefits including Fair Working Practices and Environmental Benefits will form part of the evaluation criteria. (SC Ref:846052)

Opportunity overview

A holistic support service for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) referred through the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) and those arriving spontaneously within the Highland area. The initial contract length will be two years (April 2027 - March 2029) with additional options to extend the contract on a yearly basis for up a further three years (March 2032). Funding will be provided through the UK Government's funding arrangements and the Council's ability to exercise any extension option will be dependent on the continuation of this funding supply.

Lot 1 — Contract lot

A holistic support service for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) referred through the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) and those arriving spontaneously within the Highland area. The service will promote safety, stability, wellbeing, integration, independence and positive outcomes for young people who may have experienced displacement, trauma, loss and uncertainty. The service will support UASC to live safely and successfully within local communities across Highland while progressing through the asylum and immigration process. Additional information: The contract contains additional options to extend the contract on a yearly basis for up a further three years (March 2032).

Contract starts: 31 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 31 March 2029

Contracting authority

The Highland Council Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX, UKM6, United Kingdom Contact: Paul Adlinton Email: socialcare10.contracts@highland.gov.uk Website: http://www.highland.gov.uk

Procurement timetable and procedure

Procedure: Open procedure

Legal basis: 32014L0024

Submission deadline: 1 December 2026 at 12:00 pm

Submission language: EN

CPV Classification

85000000 — Health and social work services; 85311300 — Welfare services for children and young people; 85312000 — Social work services without accommodation

How to submit

The official Find a Tender notice directs suppliers to the buyer’s electronic tendering system. The procurement documents, clarifications and response area are managed there.

Open the buyer’s electronic tendering system ↗

TenderLab qualification first

Before we write, we establish whether the opportunity fits.

We examine the published participation conditions, service scope, geography, regulatory position, available evidence, mobilisation demands and commercial exposure with your team. We only confirm a full tender-writing engagement when the available information supports a responsible view that the provider meets the tender requirements.

If Services for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in Highland is a credible fit, we can map the scored requirements, gather operational evidence and build the response around the buyer documents. The qualification check and any writing support do not guarantee an award; the contracting authority makes the final decision.