Administrative social services

Tender description

The Scottish Government is appointing a Service Provider for the operation and management of a National Panel of Safeguarders to be known as the ‘Safeguarders Panel’. Safeguarders are appointed by children's hearings or sheriffs where there is a requirement to safeguard the interests of the child in the proceedings. The Safeguarder provides the hearing and/or court with an independent assessment of what is in the child's best interest. Safeguarders are independent from all other agencies involved in the Children's Hearings System and that independence is a crucial aspect of the role. They are appointed by the Scottish Ministers. Portfolio responsibility falls to the Minister for Children and Young People. The Service Provider will make all the necessary arrangements to ensure national consistency in the management of Safeguarders in Scotland and that the required high standards are maintained throughout all Safeguarder appointments utilising the Practise Standards for Safeguarders and the Performance Support and Monitoring Framework. The Contractor will ensure the operation and management of the Safeguarders Panel between the hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday including some public holidays, where key partners such as the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS), Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA) and Children's Hearings Scotland (CHS). are operating and where this is agreed. In addition the Service Provider shall be responsible for; promoting the Safeguarders Panel, recruitment and selection of Panel members, applying criteria on the appointment and removal of Panel members, ensuring attendance on Pre-Appointment training, monitoring performance and making payments of fees and expenses to Safeguarders. Period of Contract 1.4.2017 to 31.3.2019 with an option to extend for a period of up to 1 year to 31.3.2020.