Social Security Advocacy Service Standards: consultation response

Next Steps

The feedback received through this consultation has informed and refined the Scottish Government's draft social security advocacy standards.

The revised standards will be published and will be set by reference being made to them in regulations which are subject to scrutiny by the Social Security Committee. The standards will have effect once the regulations have been approved by the Scottish Parliament and have come into force.

In parallel, the Scottish Government is seeking tenders for the provision of social security advocacy support. The contract will be awarded for the period of two years with the option of extending for two additional one year periods. The invitation to tender was issued on 18 December 2019. Bids will be evaluated and contract award is expected in Spring 2020, subject to the standards being approved by Parliament.

The use of and delivery against the standards will be evaluated and reviewed prior to any re-tendering exercise to ensure that they provide the consistent and high-quality service intended.