Social care tenders and contracts in Scotland
There are 14 live social care tenders in Scotland right now, from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder. This page covers adult social care, day services, respite and short breaks, carers support and advocacy contracts from councils, the NHS and other public buyers. Below is what buyers are asking for, so you can see whether you qualify before you spend hours bidding.
01What buyers ask for
From the 14 live social care tenders in Scotland we have read so far.
- Minimum turnover
- Rarely stated in the notice
- Contract length
- Typically 3 years
- Suitable for SMEs
- 0 of 14 flagged by the buyer
- Frameworks & DPS
- 5 of 14
02Live social care tenders in Scotland
- Provision of an Alcohol and Drug Prevention, Early Intervention and Recovery Support ServiceNorth Ayrshire CouncilScotland£2.2mCloses 2 days
- Provision of a Specialist Huntington's Disease ServiceNorth Ayrshire CouncilScotland£602kCloses 4 days
- Provision of Temporary Emergency Accommodation (East Lothian Council)East Lothian CouncilScotlandNot statedCloses 14 days
- Distress Brief InterventionNorth Lanarkshire CouncilScotlandNot statedCloses 16 days
- Unpaid Carer Support ServiceMidlothian CouncilScotland£3.7mCloses 32 days
- Services for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) in HighlandThe Highland CouncilScotland£3.6mCloses 36 days
- Early Learning & Childcare Provision Framework (New Applicants October 2026)East Ayrshire CouncilScotlandNot statedCloses 45 daysFramework
- HH108-27-HB Adult Social Care Commissioning Flexible FrameworkNHS HighlandScotland£16m–2421mCloses 66 daysFramework
- Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) Flexible FrameworkDumfries and Galloway CouncilScotlandNot statedCloses 322 daysFramework
- Transport for Education, Social Care and other requirements under a Dynamic Purchasing SystemClackmannanshire CouncilScotlandNot statedCloses Not statedFramework
- Social Care Agency Workers Flexible Framework AgreementScotland ExcelScotlandNot statedCloses Not statedFramework
- Residential, respite and nursing care bedsComhairle nan Eilean SiarScotlandNot statedCloses Not stated
Show 2 more tenders
- Provision of Homeless Supported Accommodation, Outreach Tenancy Support and Housing First ServicesFalkirk CouncilScotlandNot statedCloses Not stated
- Fostering and Continuing Care Services 0924Scotland ExcelScotlandNot statedCloses Not stated
03Who is buying
- North Ayrshire Council 2 live tenders
- Scotland Excel 2 live tenders
- East Lothian Council 1 live tender
- North Lanarkshire Council 1 live tender
- Midlothian Council 1 live tender
04Social care contracts: common questions
How many social care tenders are live in Scotland?
14 right now, from 12 public buyers, with 3 closing in the next 14 days. We bring together notices from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder and refresh this page every hour.
What do buyers ask for in social care contracts?
Few notices state a minimum turnover; it is usually set out in the tender documents. Most requirements sit in the tender documents rather than the notice, so check the pack before you bid.
Can a small business win social care contracts?
Often, yes. 0 of the 14 live tenders in Scotland are marked by the buyer as suitable for small businesses, and 5 are frameworks or dynamic purchasing systems (approved supplier lists that buyers then order from). Smaller lots and lower-value contracts are usually the best place to start. Check the minimum turnover and insurance first, as those are the checks that rule most bids out.
05Expert notes: Care
Care contracts are usually let through frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems run by councils, so joining the right list matters as much as any single tender. Buyers will expect CQC registration and a good rating, safeguarding policies, and evidence you can recruit and keep staff.
From the tenderITT tender experts. New to tendering? Read how to search Find a Tender, how to register on the Central Digital Platform and our Invitation to Tender guide.