School Counselling Service - Primary Schools

Location

Livingston

Description

West Lothian Council is seeking to appoint a fully qualified and experienced external service provider to provide Counselling Services to West Lothian Primary schools

Total Quantity or Scope

West Lothian Council is seeking to appoint a fully qualified and experienced external service provider to achieve the vision of an integrated and flexible service which would meet the need for building resilient children and young people (aged 10 years and up) in the upper primary age range (P6&7) across all 69 primary school settings in the authority. It is envisaged that access to the service should be easy for schools and should feel seamless for children and young people and their families as part of the ongoing assessment and intervention planning process. A focus on building resilience, especially in relation to the transition to secondary school will be a key element of the work. It is expected that the provider will work closely with colleagues in secondary schools to support transition specifically where this would be in the best interests of the child. The provider would also be in a position to offer some specific transition intervention for particularly vulnerable P7 pupils in the summer term of each academic year. This would be closely aligned with the authority Cluster Assessment and Support for Transition (CAST) process. The ability to support young people over summer holiday periods where this is desirable will be a key element of the contract. In addition, the provider should consider how to support the local authority in building capacity in schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people through staff development and curriculum design. It is also expected that the provider will work closely with the Educational Psychology Service to maintain a quality evaluation framework as a key element of the contract. This will enable West Lothian Council to gather and report on council wide evaluation information and to meet the reporting requirements set by Scottish Government.

Renewal Options

The contract may be extended for a period not exceeding a further 24 months in total at the sole discretion of the council.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85312320 - Counselling services
• 80100000 - Primary education services
• 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

Indicators

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• Renewals are available.
• Financial restrictions apply.
• Performance considerations apply.
• Professional qualifications are sought.
• Staff qualifications are relevant.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

The council may wish to utilise the 24 month available extension in any combination e.g. 2 periods of 12 months. Re: SPD Q3D.1, 3D.2 and 3D.3 Bidders should answer these questions on Environmental, social and labour law in relation to compliance with the regulations covering Scotland and the UK. TUPE – The incoming Contractor is responsible for obtaining legal and professional advice about relevant TUPE implications. CONFIDENTIALITY - All information supplied by the Authority must be treated in confidence and not disclosed to third parties except insofar as this is necessary to obtain sureties or quotations for the purpose of submitting the tender. All information supplied by you to the Authority will similarly be treated in confidence except: (i) for any information required to be disclosed or otherwise provided by the Authority to any person in order to comply with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and any codes of practice applicable from time to time relating to access to public authorities’ information. The Tenderer shall co-operate, facilitate, support and assist the Authority in the provision of this information. In the event the Authority is required to provide information to any person as a result of a request made to it under such Act and/or codes, the Authority shall adhere to the requirements of such Act and/or codes in disclosing information relating to this Agreement, the Project documents and the Contractor. (ii) that references may be sought from banks, existing or past clients, or other referees submitted by the tenderers; (iii) for the disclosure of such information with regard to the outcome of the procurement process as may be required to be published in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union in accordance with EU directives or elsewhere in accordance with the requirements of UK government policy on the disclosure of information relating to government contracts. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 31458. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-pr... A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: Please Note: Community Benefits will be evaluated for this procurement procedure and will form 5% of the overall award criteria. More information can be found on the council’s website: - Community Benefits in Procurement - Community Benefits Wishlist The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 31458. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-pr... A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: The Community Benefits proposals provided by suppliers will form part of the contract award criteria and will be evaluated when determining the winning tender and will require to be delivered as part of the contract. Community Benefits proposals will form part of the award criteria and will be evaluated. https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34902/Community-Benefits-in-Procurement (SC Ref:828008)