Social and other specific services – public contracts
Prior information notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
UK
Contact person: Paul Adlinton
E-mail: socialcare10.contracts@highland.gov.uk
NUTS: UKM6
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.highland.gov.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00045
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local agency/office
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Holistic Support Services for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in Highland
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Highland Council are looking to notify the market of their intention to commission a holistic support service for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) referred through the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) and those arriving spontaneously within the Highland area.
It is anticipated that the initial contract length will be two years (April 2027 - March 2029) with additional options to extend the contract on a yearly basis for up a further three years (March 2032).
Funding will be provided through the UK Government's funding arrangements and the Council's ability to exercise any extension option will be dependent on the continuation of this funding supply.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
3 600 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
85000000
85311300
85312000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM6
Main site or place of performance:
The whole Highland Council geographical area.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Highland Council are looking to notify the market of their intention to commission a holistic support service for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) referred through the National Transfer Scheme (NTS) and those arriving spontaneously within the Highland area.
The service will promote safety, stability, wellbeing, integration, independence and positive outcomes for young people who may have experienced displacement, trauma, loss and uncertainty. The service will support UASC to live safely and successfully within local communities across Highland while progressing through the asylum and immigration process.
Organisations wishing to express an interest are invited to submit a response to the Summary of Requirement, setting out how they would propose to deliver the service and addressing the questions contained within that document. Responses should be provided in a word-processed document and be no longer than 800 words (Arial, size 11).
Responses must be submitted no later than 5.00 pm on Wednesday 7 October 2026. Submission details are provided within the Summary of Requirement document.
Any subsequent procurement process will be notified through Public Contracts Scotland and conducted through Public Contracts Scotland-Tender (PCS-T). At this stage it is estimated that a tender process could commence during the second half of October 2026.
Please note that this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is being issued for market consultation purposes only and that the content of this Notice, including the estimated contract value and indicative contract timelines, is subject to change.
II.2.14) Additional information
1. Summary of Requirement is enclosed.
2. Potential interested parties are requested to note their interest in line with the instructions contained in the Summary of Requirement.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
21/10/2026
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Please see the enclosed Summary of Requirement. Interested parties are to note their interest and detail in no more than 800 words (in font Arial 11) in a word processed document how they would intend to deliver the service in line with the request in the Summary of Requirement.
This is to be submitted by a closing time of 5pm on Wednesday 7th October 2026 to socialcare10.contracts@highland.gov.uk
Please note this is not a call for competition.
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=842976.
(SC Ref:842976)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
15/09/2026