Services for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in Highland

The Highland Council is seeking a provider to deliver a holistic support service for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) referred through the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) and those arriving spontaneously in the Highland area. The service will promote safety, stability, wellbeing, integration and independence, helping young people navigate the asylum and immigration process and achieve positive outcomes within local communities.

The estimated contract value is £3.6 million excluding VAT, with an initial two-year term and options for annual extensions, subject to continued funding.

Service Requirements

The appointed provider will deliver a holistic support service for UASC across the whole Highland Council geographical area. The service will support young people who may have experienced displacement, trauma, loss and uncertainty, helping them live safely and successfully within their communities.

Key objectives include:

• Safety and stability: Support young people to live safely and establish stability in their local communities.
• Wellbeing and integration: Promote wellbeing, social integration and positive outcomes for young people.
• Independence: Help young people develop independence and access appropriate support as their needs change.
• Asylum and immigration support: Support young people while they progress through the asylum and immigration process.
• Community-based support: Deliver services across the Highland Council area, including for young people referred through the National Transfer Scheme and those arriving spontaneously.

The contract is not divided into lots. Further details of the service model and delivery expectations should be reviewed in the full procurement documents available through PCS-Tender.

Contract Information

• Buyer: The Highland Council
• Enquiry Deadline: Not disclosed in the supplied notice
• Tender Submission Deadline: 1 December 2026, 12:00pm
• Contract Value: £3,600,000 excluding VAT
• Delivery Length: 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029, with options to extend annually for up to a further three years, potentially until 31 March 2032
• Tender Reference: HSCC57
• PCS-Tender Project Code: 32999
• Tender Portal: Public Contracts Scotland / PCS-Tender
• Contract Location: The whole Highland Council geographical area, Highlands and Islands, Scotland
• Procurement Procedure: Open procedure
• Award Method: Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT)
• Evaluation Weighting: Quality 95%; Price 5%
• Submission Language: English
• Suitable for: SMEs and VCSE suitability is not explicitly stated in the supplied notice
• Community Benefits: Community benefits, fair working practices and environmental benefits will form part of the evaluation criteria

Any contract extensions will depend on the continuation of the UK Government funding arrangements supporting the service. The council’s ability to exercise the extension options is therefore not guaranteed.

Evaluation Criteria

The contract will be assessed using the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, with the following weighting:

• Quality: 95%
• Price: 5%

Community benefits, including fair working practices and environmental benefits, will also form part of the evaluation criteria. The full Tender Overview in PCS-Tender should be consulted for the detailed assessment requirements.

Supplier Requirements

Bidders must review the participation requirements and supporting documentation in PCS-Tender. The notice identifies the following requirements:

• Relevant experience: Bidders must respond to Question 4C.1.2 on relevant experience.
• Financial standing: The council will conduct a Creditsafe credit check and assess bidders according to the published risk bands. Moderate- and high-risk results may lead to further internal review and possible rejection; very high-risk results will be rejected.
• Alternative financial evidence: Where a credit check cannot be completed, bidders may need to provide turnover information, audited accounts for the previous two years, or other financial evidence depending on their circumstances. Specific minimum liquidity ratios apply to certain bidders.
• New businesses: Bidders trading for less than one year and unable to provide audited accounts must submit current-year cash flow information and a bank letter confirming their cash and credit position for the current and following year.
• Parent company guarantee: A bidder may be considered where its parent company meets the financial criteria and supports the submission with a parent company guarantee.
• Insurance: Employer’s Liability Insurance of £10 million and Public Liability Insurance of £5 million must be held or obtainable before the contract begins.
• Community benefits: Bidders should address the community benefits, fair working practices and environmental benefits requirements in their submissions.

The tender documents are being made available through PCS-Tender. Suppliers should consult the full ITT and Tender Overview to confirm all financial, technical and service requirements before submitting a bid.

This opportunity may suit organisations experienced in child welfare, social work and holistic support for vulnerable young people. With quality accounting for 95% of the evaluation, bidders should prioritise a strong service delivery proposal and demonstrate relevant experience, financial capacity and their approach to community benefits.

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