Royal Hospital for Children Money and Debt Advice Service
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
The real focus isn't just money advice
When I first looked at this tender, the word "money" stood out.
But it's not the full story.
What NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are really buying is peace of mind for families in challenging circumstances.
They're looking for a service to support families whose children are in the Royal Hospital for Children, or who regularly attend outpatient appointments.
The service should help families maximise income, reduce expenditure and ease financial worries.
It's about making life a little easier for families when they need it most.
Think about the families, not just the finances
Yes, the service is about money and debt advice.
But it's also about understanding the unique pressures these families face.
Their child is in hospital or frequently attending outpatient appointments.
They may be unable to access community services.
The advice you offer has to be tailored to these specific circumstances.
If I were writing this tender, I'd focus on empathy and understanding as much as financial expertise.
Don't just list services – explain your approach
Many bidders will simply list the financial services they offer.
But that won't set you apart.
I'd want to know exactly how you plan to engage with families at the RHC.
How will you ensure your advice is accessible and sensitive to their needs?
Describe your approach to building trust and rapport with families in difficult situations.
That's what I'd build my submission around.
Pay attention to what they say
The notice is clear about the scope of the service.
Families across Scotland, not just those local to the hospital, may need support.
This means your service should be able to reach families who can't access community services due to their circumstances.
They highlight the importance of "maximising income, reducing household expenditure and debt and alleviating money worries."
If I were evaluating bids, I'd be looking for a clear strategy to achieve these goals.
Make it easy for families to access your service
Access is crucial.
Families with children in hospital have enough on their plates.
Your service needs to be straightforward to access and use.
Explain how you will make it easy for families to get the help they need.
Will you offer online consultations?
Home visits?
Telephone support?
Outline the practical steps you'll take to ensure no family misses out on support due to logistical barriers.
Evidence always beats promises
When it comes to winning bids, evidence is your best friend.
If you've delivered similar services before, now's the time to showcase that experience.
- Case studies of past successes
- Testimonials from families you've helped
- Data showing your impact on reducing debt or increasing income
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that almost every bidder claimed to deliver excellent service.
Very few proved it.
Keep standards consistent over the whole term
Consistency is key.
The service is required for 360 days.
I'd want to see a plan for maintaining high standards throughout the contract.
Consider how you'll manage staff absence or turnover.
Will you have regular performance reviews?
How will you ensure quality doesn't dip during busy periods?
These are the questions that will reassure the buyer of your reliability.
Remember, it's about reducing stress
One thing I'd keep reminding myself is the real goal here: reducing stress for families.
Your service isn't just about money.
It's about lifting the burden of financial worries at a time when families have enough to cope with.
I'd test every answer against this question: "Is this going to make life easier for the families?"
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on financial services without considering family circumstances
- Fail to outline a clear approach to accessibility and engagement
- Offer generic advice applicable to anyone rather than tailored support for these families
- Lack evidence of past success or impact
- Ignore the need for consistent service delivery over the whole term
- Overlook the importance of empathy and understanding in service delivery
My Final Thoughts
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are looking for more than just financial advice.
They're seeking a partner who can truly support families through difficult times.
The contract is valued at £250,000 for a 360-day period, emphasising the importance of quality service delivery.
Quality and reliability are paramount.
That's what I'd focus on in my submission.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
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Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.