Missing Persons Services

North Lanarkshire Council, based in Motherwell, is at the Award stage of their procurement process for a Missing Persons Service aimed at assisting children and young people reported missing to Police Scotland. This service falls under the General public services category and is to be delivered in the North Lanarkshire region (UKM84). The procurement method utilised was limited, with an award procedure conducted without prior publication, reflecting the council's concerns about potential service disruptions.

The contract, valued at £290,000, was signed on 3 June 2025. The awarded supplier is Barnardo's Scotland, a large organisation located in Edinburgh. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialised in services for young persons, particularly those with expertise in collaboration with local authorities and police services.

While the procurement was limited without competitive bidding, businesses operating in similar sectors can gain insights into specialised public service delivery and foster partnerships for future collaborations. Organisations that can demonstrate flexibility and service reliability in contexts of safeguarding and protection would find themselves well-positioned for similar opportunities in the public sector.