Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Government
5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw
Glasgow
G2 8LU
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.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.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £3,502,471.12
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.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 70
Price - Weighting: 30
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Option to extend for a further two 12-month periods at the sole discretion of the Scottish Government.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-005220
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
659079
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
28 May 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Children 1st
83 Whitehouse Loan
Edinburgh
EH9 1AT
Telephone
+44 7891404042
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKM - Scotland
Internet address
https://www.children1st.org.uk/
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £3,502,471.12
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(SC Ref:768053)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
Country
United Kingdom