Intensive Support - Children / Young People (Highland)
The Highland CouncilEstimated Value
Not specified
Deadline
Not specified
Published
8 June 2026
Type
services
Overview
The provision of an Intensive Support Service to Children and Young People to offer practical and emotional support to service users through offering help and guidance on matters such as safety planning, risks and management of risks, emotional support, health, education, harm reduction, substance use, training and where appropriate support with parenting skills. The service will typically deliver support to service users who have been exposed to criminal activity, offending behaviours, exploitation, and involvement with the Children’s Hearings System (although this is not an exhaustive list).
It will also offer support to Parent/Carers/Guardians. An Intensive Support Service for Children and Young People offering practical and emotional support to service users through offering help and guidance on matters such as safety planning, risks and management of risks, emotional support, health, education, harm reduction, substance use, training and where appropriate support with parenting skills.
The service will typically deliver support to service users who have been exposed to criminal activity, offending behaviours, exploitation, and involvement with the Children’s Hearings System (although this is not an exhaustive list). It will also offer support to Parent/Carers/Guardians.
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
Highland Council is looking for an organization to provide intensive support services to vulnerable children and young people in the region, including those involved with the criminal justice system, exploitation, or child protection services. The service will offer practical and emotional help covering safety planning, risk management, health, education, substance use support, and parenting skills training for both young people and their families.
Requirements
- Ability to deliver practical and emotional support to children and young people
- Expertise in safety planning and risk management for vulnerable young people
- Experience supporting children exposed to criminal activity, offending behaviours, and exploitation
- Knowledge of the Children's Hearings System (Scottish child protection system)
- Ability to provide harm reduction and substance use support
- Capacity to offer parenting skills support and guidance to carers and guardians
- Experience working with vulnerable families and complex safeguarding cases
- Check full tender documents for: staff qualifications, DBS/PVG checks, insurance requirements, management structure, and performance metrics
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Assess and create safety plans for young people at risk
- Provide one-to-one emotional and practical support to service users
- Deliver guidance on managing risks and harmful behaviours
- Offer harm reduction and substance misuse support tailored to young people
- Provide health and wellbeing advice and signposting
- Support access to and engagement with education and training
- Deliver parenting skills training and support to parents, carers, and guardians
- Liaise with and support young people involved in the Children's Hearings System
- Monitor and report on outcomes for service users
- Work with other agencies (schools, social work, health services)
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is a social care / youth support contract — focus on your experience with vulnerable young people, not just general youth work. The buyer cares deeply about safeguarding and evidence of impact.
- 2The phrase 'typically deliver support to service users who have been exposed to...' is not a complete list — you need to read the full tender documents to understand the full scope of need and which young people you'll actually support.
- 3Look carefully in the full tender for: the number of young people you'll support (how many referrals per month?), whether this is a new service or replacement, the funding amount, contract length, and key performance indicators you'll be measured against.
- 4Children's Hearings System is Scottish-specific — if you're not based in Scotland, you'll need to learn about this quickly or partner with someone who knows it. It's not just about youth offenders; it covers child protection more broadly.
- 5Check whether the council expects you to work from their premises, deliver outreach in young people's homes/communities, or both — this affects your staffing and travel costs significantly.
Tips for Small Businesses
- Consider partnering with larger charities or social enterprises if you lack experience with complex safeguarding cases — councils often welcome consortium bids, and this reduces your risk while building credibility.
- This contract will likely include a 'Social Value' scoring section — prepare evidence of how you'll employ local staff, offer training opportunities, or support community outcomes. Even small commitments (e.g. 'we'll hire 2 apprentices') can boost your score.
- Staffing costs will be your biggest expense — ensure you budget for experienced support workers (not entry-level), supervision/management, and training. The council will scrutinize your staff-to-young-people ratios, so don't underestimate this.
Award Details
Right There
Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
Blue Triangle (Glasgow) Housing Association Limited
1 contract wonlatest 23 Jul 2026 - 2
Inverness Badenoch and Strathspey Citizens Advice Bureau
1 contract wonlatest 15 Jun 2026
Blue Triangle (Glasgow) Housing Association Limited is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
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Buyer Profile
The Highland CouncilKey Dates
Published
8 June 2026
Submission deadline
Not specified
Notice type
award
Source
find a tender
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