Provision of School Based Therapeutic Intervention Service – Play/Art/Creative Therapy

East Lothian Council is seeking to appoint an experienced provider to deliver a School Based Therapeutic Intervention Service – Play/Art/Creative Therapy for children and young people aged 5 to 14 years across the East Lothian Council area.

The service will complement existing support available to children and young people by providing therapeutic interventions that promote mental health and wellbeing in line with the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC). The Council has also confirmed its commitment to trauma-responsive approaches and requires the successful provider to demonstrate a strong commitment to trauma-informed practice.

The successful provider will deliver one-to-one therapeutic interventions for children and young people while also supporting families and the adults around them to better understand and meet their emotional needs. The service will operate within a therapeutic, trauma-informed framework using resilience and strength-based approaches, enabling children and young people to explore and process their experiences within a safe and supportive relationship.

For primary-aged children, service delivery will incorporate play or art-based therapeutic methods and may include support for parents and carers that reflects the child’s age and developmental stage.

Contract Information

Buyer – East Lothian Council

Deadline – 3 August 2026 – 12:00pm

Contract Value – Not disclosed

Delivery Length – 36 months, with the option to extend for up to a further 12 months.

Tender Link – Click here

Evaluation Criteria

The procurement will be evaluated using:

• Quality – 60%
• Price – 40%

Professional Requirements

The successful provider must ensure:

• Art Therapists are registered members of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).
• Play Therapists are registered with the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) or PTUK.
• All staff delivering the service hold the appropriate Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) clearance and any other relevant Scottish Disclosure requirements.

Further economic, financial and technical requirements are detailed within the tender documentation.

Community Benefits

The contract includes community benefits requirements, with further information provided within the Community Benefits documentation issued as part of the procurement.

This opportunity reflects East Lothian Council’s continued investment in early intervention and therapeutic support for children and young people, providing school-based play, art and creative therapy services designed to improve emotional wellbeing through trauma-informed and child-centred approaches.

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