Counselling and Therapeutic Services for Young People

Stirling Council, a regional or local authority in Stirling, has completed the procurement process for school counselling and therapeutic services aimed at primary and secondary aged young people. The procurement falls under the industry categories of "General public services" and "Housing and community amenities" and is classified under CPV code 85312300. Utilising a limited procurement method without prior publication of a call for competition, the contract was awarded to Action in Mind, a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) located in Stirling.

The contract, valued at £45,487, was signed on 22nd September 2025. The procurement was conducted to address service gaps that could not be met internally and is aligned with the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act and associated best practice guidance. This tender creates significant opportunities for organizations specialising in counselling and therapeutic services for young people, particularly those that can establish close working relationships with this demographic.

Businesses well-suited to compete in similar procurement processes include SMEs with expertise in providing mental health support and youth counselling services. Given the limited market offer for such specialised services and the established presence of the current supplier, new entrants and local service providers could leverage their expertise and form strategic partnerships with schools and local authorities to create growth opportunities within this niche market.