Childrens Services Advocacy Support and Legal Representation

The Scottish Government was seeking a supplier to provide a demand led service for both Advocacy Support and Legal Advice service to children, aged 12-15.

The Scottish Government had a requirement to place a contract with an external service provider for the Provision of Children’s Service – Advocacy Support and Legal Representation.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) Act 2004 provides the legal Framework for the provision of additional support for learning. The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 amends the 2004 Act to provide that children (aged Between 12-15 with capacity) can access certain rights conferred on them by the 2004 Act.

The Service Provision consisted of the management/administration and delivery of the following:

Advocacy Support – To support children to prepare them to use their rights, using these rights and understanding the outcome of their use and to support children to understand the outcome where their parents have used their rights in relation to the child.

Legal Representation – To provide advice and representation in support of children using their rights to make a reference to the Additional Support Needs jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland.

Question Scoring Methodology for Award Criteria was outlined in Invitation to Tender.

0 Unacceptable Nil or inadequate response. Fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement.

1 Poor Response is partially relevant but generally poor. The response addresses some elements of the requirement but contains insufficient/limited detail or explanation to demonstrate how the requirement will be fulfilled.

2 Acceptable Response is relevant and acceptable. The response addresses a broad understanding of the requirement but may lack details on how the requirement will be fulfilled in certain areas.

3 Good Response is relevant and good. The response is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate a good understanding and provides details on how the requirements will be fulfilled.

4 Excellent Response is completely relevant and excellent overall. The response is comprehensive, unambiguous and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the requirement and provides details of how the requirement would be met in full.

Additional criteria for Cyber and Data Security Question.

Cyber security was to be scored on a pass/fail basis.

Tenderers were also asked to confirm that they will pay staff that are involved in the delivery of services under the contract, at least the real Living Wage.

Tenderers who did not pass these questions would not be subject to Commercial Analysis. As a result the tender will not be considered further.

Bidders must have completed the SPD (Scotland) to demonstrate adherence to the Exclusion and Selection Criteria for this procurement.

If there are named subcontractors/technicians upon which the bidder will rely to meet the selection criteria, these named parties must complete and reattach the SPD Supplier Response Form attached to SPD