Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
4 Atlantic Quay, 70 York St
Glasgow
G2 8EA
Telephone
+44 1412420133
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM - Scotland
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10482
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
National Safeguarders Panel Management Service
Reference number
659079
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85311300 - Welfare services for children and young people
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The requirement is for the operation and management of a National Panel of Safeguarders known as the ‘Safeguarders Panel’.
Safeguarders are appointed by children’s hearings or sheriffs where there is a requirement to safeguard the interests of the child in the proceedings. The Safeguarder provides the hearing and/or court with an independent assessment of what is in the child’s best interest.
Safeguarders are independent from all other agencies involved in the Children’s Hearings System and that independence of practice is a crucial aspect of the role. They are appointed by the Scottish Ministers. Portfolio responsibility falls to the Minister for Children and Young People.
The Contractor will make all the necessary arrangements to ensure national consistency in the management of Safeguarders in Scotland and that the required high standards are maintained throughout all Safeguarder appointments in line with the relevant legislation (Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011, the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Safeguarders Panel) Regulations 2012 and the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Safeguarders: Further Provision) Regulations 2012) and utilising the Practise Standards for Safeguarders and the Performance Support and Monitoring Framework.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1,600,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Safeguarders are a well-established and valued element of the Children’s Hearings System providing independent scrutiny of assessments and plans for children. However, the Safeguarder service had been prone to differing levels of quality in terms of recruitment, appointment and general practice due in part to the fragmented management arrangements across 32 local authorities.
The Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (“ the 2011 Act”) was passed by Parliament on 25th November 2010 and received Royal Assent on 6th January 2011. It is an Act of the Scottish Parliament to restate and amend the law relating to children’s hearings and for connected purposes. One of the key provisions of the Act is the establishment of a National Panel of Safeguarders. Section 32 of the 2011 Act provides that Scottish Ministers must establish the Safeguarders Panel and also gives them a power, by regulation, to make provision in connection with matters relating to the Panel.
The Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 (Safeguarders Panel) Regulations 2012 (“the 2012 regulations”) include, among other things, provision on recruitment and selection, appointment and removal, training, fees and the operation and management of the panel.
The current supplier is Children 1st. There are currently around 140 serving Safeguarders in Scotland. As part of the contract, there has been the establishment of national Practice Standards and the development of a supporting Performance Support and Monitoring Framework (PSMF) that provides the structure for monitoring and assessing safeguarders’ performance.
The Contractor will ensure the operation and management of the Safeguarders Panel between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday including some public holidays, where key partners such as the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS), Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) and Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) are operating and where this is agreed.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
22 January 2024
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=733398.
(SC Ref:733398)