Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
East Dunbartonshire Council
Civic & Corporate Headquarters, Southbank Marina,12 Strathkelvin Place
Kirkintilloch
G66 1TJ
UK
Contact person: Nicola Young
Telephone: +44 1415745750
E-mail: nicola.young@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM81
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00225
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
EDC/2025/4334 School Counselling Service
Reference number: EDC/2025/4334
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85312320
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) Education Service is seeking a provider to deliver a counselling service for its children and young people aged 10 and over. The outcomes of the counselling service are to improve the mental wellbeing and resilience of children and young people living in East Dunbartonshire, following the principles of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC). The counselling service will complement existing wellbeing support and provision already available for children and young people in East Dunbartonshire schools.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
1 460 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85312320
85312300
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM8
Main site or place of performance:
Counselling services to be delivered in Primary & Secondary Schools across the East Dunbartonshire Council area.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Key Requirements to be Delivered:
Provision of a 1-2-1 counselling service for children and young people aged 10+
Children under 12 will require parental consent to engage with the service
Referral process to include self-referral supported system for children, young people and parents/carers in addition to via schools
This service will form part of a range of supports to help children develop positive wellbeing within the context of GIRFEC National Practice Model
A range of wellbeing issues can be discussed including stress and anxiety, low mood, family issues
Provision of a school-based counselling service with the flexibility to deliver counselling via virtual platforms or telephone
Counselling to continue to be available over the whole calendar year
Provision and update of a personal plan and records for each young person.
Provision of a service that takes account of any particular needs and details these (such as health, education, culture, ethnic background, faith, young carers, care experienced, language, sexuality, ability and any disability or additional support need).
Provision of a service for all children and young people including those with significant additional support needs
Promote and encourage schools to make appropriate referrals
Support and encourage service users to engage with the service
All conversations will be confidential unless child protection or other safeguarding concerns are identified. When such issues arise, the school child protection coordinator will be informed by the counselling service
Liaison with school staff in relation to supporting well being
Quarterly evaluation report will be provided and will comprise impact measure(s) including the Stirling Children’s Wellbeing Scale (or equivalent) as well as progress in relation to wellbeing indicators
The service provider will have experience of and a proven track record of working in primary and secondary schools in an integrated way with school staff and partner agencies
The service provider will be able to integrate into existing school systems
Single session models implemented (50 mins)
6 – 12 session model delivery, with room to expand if the need dictates
Clear breakdown and recording of vulnerable and at-risk groups such as care experienced, young carers and LGBTQ+
Provide family sessions and interventions around supporting the emotional wellbeing of the child
On site professional consultancy and advice for teachers, senior leaders, support and wellbeing staff in supporting the emotional wellbeing of the child
Tailored programme of Mental Health Ambassadors for children and young people, with training for school staff to deliver
Professional learning opportunities for staff teams in the development of mental health skills and knowledge
Waiting times must be met within 6 – 8 weeks of referral
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 40
Price
/ Weighting:
60
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start:
01/08/2026
End:
31/07/2030
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
Subject to budget availability this contract will likely be tendered in Q1/Q2 2030.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
All service providers employees are required to have an up-to-date PVG scheme membership with enhanced disclosure, managed and maintained by the service provider including any associated costs.
All counsellors with the service provider will hold a minimum of a Diploma in Counselling, a pre-requisite for registration with a recognised professional body e.g. BACP, COSCA, BABCP etc.
All counsellors will have completed or are working towards the SQA PDA in counselling C&YP. This qualification is a Scottish government recommended SCQF Level 11 qualification.
Counsellors will have also completed the NHS Education for Scotland Trauma Skilled Practice (Level 2) training and, or are working towards, Level 3.
Provider counsellors will have trained in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and Public Health Scotland ‘What’s the Harm?’ self-harm training.
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
The contract will be governed by the Council’s School Counselling Service Conditions of Contract which are attached to the suite of documents on PCS hereto.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
16/04/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
16/04/2026
Local time: 12:30
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.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=826825.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Potential Providers are encouraged to offer a contribution towards Community Benefits, which will be provided as part of the contract.
Opportunities for community benefits may include:
i)Generating employment and training opportunities for priority groups;
ii)Vocational training, work experience and modern apprenticeships;
iii)Up-skilling existing workforce;
iv)Equality and diversity initiatives;
vii)Building capacity in community organisations;
viii)Education support initiatives;
ix)Working with schools, colleges, universities to offer work experience or educational/professional advice;
x)Community engagement events or providing value to the local community;
(SC Ref:826825)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=826825
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Glasgow Sheriff Court
Glasgow
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
17/03/2026