Holistic Support Services for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in Highland

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. 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).

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.

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.