Employee assistance programme (SPS-02020)
Framework Description
The Employee Assistance Programme Service (SPS-02020) is a central government framework, managed by Scottish Prison Service procurement, that provides confidential counselling and welfare support to staff of its collaborative partners. It runs from 1 May 2023 to 30 April 2027 and also gives HR managers welfare visits and reports. A reduced service is available to employees' immediate families. This framework is used by Scottish Government and APUC.
Context & Use Case
Scottish Ministers and agencies, including the Scottish Prison Service, non-departmental public bodies, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, special health boards, APUC and the higher and further education sector are among the bodies that can use it. Welfare requests normally come through HR, and buyers choose between a fixed-price, all-inclusive model and paying as used.
Scope of Services
Telephone and virtual counselling Face-to-face counselling sessions Crisis intervention and home visits Advice for carers and managers, including mental health guidance Online information service and website Welfare visits and reports for HR managers Referral procedures and advocacy
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
It suits EAP providers with counselling networks across Scotland and capacity for crisis response and welfare visiting. Applications are closed, so providers not appointed cannot join now; the re-tender is likely to come around 30 April 2027. Occupational health is bought through a separate framework.
Buyer Benefits
Prices are capped for four years, giving budget certainty, and buyers can pick fixed-price or as-used pricing to suit their headcount and usage. Existing helpline numbers are kept, so staff are not confused by a change of provider, and the provider reports performance against agreed measures for each purchaser.
Next Steps
EAP providers should prepare for the next competition ahead of 30 April 2027: watch Public Contracts Scotland for notices from Scottish Prison Service procurement, and assemble evidence on response times, clinical governance, counsellor coverage across Scotland and welfare reporting. Outcome and usage data from comparable public sector contracts will strengthen the bid.
How Athena Can Help
Employee assistance tenders reward providers who can show clinical quality and practical reach. Ahead of the 2027 re-tender, Athena's quality and compliance checks and response writing help you show coverage, governance and outcomes clearly, with pricing tested for both fixed-price and as-used models.
We can also map other wellbeing frameworks across UK public sector buyers through a framework opportunity review, and give wellbeing tender advice on which standalone EAP contracts are worth bidding for while you wait.
