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To record your interest or obtain additional information or documents please find instructions within the Full Notice Text. (NOTE: Contract Award Notices and Prior Information Notices do not normally require a response)

Summary

OCID:: ocds-h6vhtk-078f3d
Published by:: East Ayrshire Council
Authority ID:: AA20168
Publication date:: 24 October 2026
Deadline date:: -
Notice type:: Prior Information Notice
Has documents:: No
Has SPD:: No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:: N/A

Abstract

Advocacy Services to be delivered across East Ayrshire to support Service Users, Families and Carers

Full notice text

Social and other specific services – public contracts

Prior information notice

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1) Name and addresses

East Ayrshire Council

Corporate Procurement Team, London Road HQ

Kilmarnock

KA3 7BU

Contact person: Heather Murray

Telephone: +44 1563554400

E-mail: heather.murray@east-ayrshire.gov.uk

NUTS: UKM93

Internet address(es)

Main address: http://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk

Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00223

I.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address

I.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

I.5) Main activity

General public services

Section II: Object

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title

Advocacy Services

Reference number: PS/26/219

II.1.2) Main CPV code

85312300

II.1.3) Type of contract

Services

II.1.4) Short description

Advocacy Services to be delivered across East Ayrshire to support Service Users, Families and Carers

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

85312300

II.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS code:

UKM93

Main site or place of performance:

East Ayrshire

II.2.4) Description of the procurement

The council requires a Service Provider to provide a range of advocacy services throughout East Ayrshire. The service will support Service Users/Individuals to have their views and wishes heard, safeguard their rights and assist them to participate in decisions affecting their lives.

The service is expected to include, but not be limited to:

-Statutory mental health advocacy.

-Independent advocacy for adults and young people.

-Collective advocacy opportunities.

-Non-instructed advocacy where appropriate

-Support for protected groups and those experiencing inequalities.

-Partnership working with health and social care services, third sector organisations and communities.

The service will be delivered in accordance with the principles set out in the Mental Health (Care and Treatment)(Scotland) Act 2003, the Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance (SIAA) Principles and Standards, and relevant Scottish Government policy.

The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 imposes a duty on local authorities and health boards to collaborate to ensure the availability of independent advocacy services in their area. The Act gave everyone with mental illness, learning disability, dementia and related conditions the right to access independent advocacy support.

The service must be delivered across the whole of East Ayrshire to those normally resident therein with Advocates travelling throughout the area to meet Service User/Individual's needs and may require to be delivered in people's own homes and within a range of settings, such as hospital and office settings (including day/resource centres/nursing homes, HMP Prison Kilmarnock etc).

The anticipated annual budget for the service is approximately 378k GBP which may change. It should be noted that for the last year there were 174 active cases for advocacy services.

It will be essential that the Service Provider has premises within the East Ayrshire area to ensure Service Users/Individuals can access services directly.

It should also be noted that TUPE may also be applicable.

II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:

08/01/2027

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.3) Additional information

Suitable organisations should email the Procurement Officer by 20 November 2026 at heather.murray@east-ayrshire.gov.uk providing details of an established presence within East Ayrshire demonstrating existing experience delivering independent advocacy across the geographical area; providers must have established relationships and experience of supporting a diverse range of service users/individuals with varying needs across the East Ayrshire area and be able to demonstrate their understanding of local needs, knowledge of the communities and have established links with local services and stakeholders.

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=845591.

(SC Ref:845591)

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice

23/10/2026

Coding

Commodity categories

ID	Title	Parent category
85312300	Guidance and counselling services	Social work services without accommodation

Delivery locations

ID	Description
100	UK - All

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID	Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:: heather.murray@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
Admin contact:: N/a
Technical contact:: N/a
Other contact:: N/a

Further information

Date	Details
No further information has been uploaded.