United Kingdom56 days leftOpen

Social Work National Professional Development Offer Market Engagement

Tender Overview

LOCATION

North East England, United Kingdom

VALUE

£0

DEADLINE

March 31, 2026 at 00:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

80510000

REFERENCE

007684-2026

Project Timeline

Contact Information

View Original

Original Tender Description

The Department for Education (DfE) is exploring the development of a national progressional development offer for Child and Family Social Workers to strengthen post-qualification support and create clearer career pathways that recognise the specialised skills required for child protection work. DfE is seeking to engage with the market to help inform the design and potential delivery approach for a future Social Work National Professional Development Offer (SWNPDO). Indicative Programme scope: Programme components: The Early Career Development Programme (ECDP) - An enhanced early career offer that would extend support for child and family social workers from one year to two years, underpinned by new professional Standards, which set out the knowledge and skills expected by the end of year two. Advanced Child Protection Programme (ACPP) - A proposed 12 month programme for Lead Child Protection Practitioners (LCPP) and those aspiring to the role, focused on strengthening advanced child protection knowledge and skills to support effective delivery within multi agency child protection teams. Leadership and Supervision Programme - A proposed national programme to support Children’s Social Care leaders below Director level, aimed at equipping leaders to drive change, strengthen multi agency collaboration, and support improved outcomes for children and families. DCS Leadership Programme - Support and development for aspirant and new DCSs that strengthens leadership and enables effective delivery. Next Steps and Market Engagement: DfE is considering its approach to the procurement and development of SWNPDO and is keen to engage with suppliers on programme design and delivery models. Supplier experience and capability (indicative): To support this engagement, the Department would be interested in feedback from suppliers with experience in: • Delivering large scale professional training or workforce development programmes • Change management and evaluating impact • Designing accessible, inclusive and compliant learning solutions. These capability areas are indicative and do not constitute formal selection or evaluation criteria. Feedback from the market will be taken into consideration to help shape the departments proposed scope to ensure that the offer meets the sector’s needs. Important notice: This notice: • Does not signify the commencement of a competitive procurement • Does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education to procure services • Does not create any obligation on the Department. The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations. Any funding estimates referenced are indicative only and subject to change. The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final scope or funding envelope of any future contractual activity. We are currently reviewing the length of service and the budget for SWNPDO, and these details will be confirmed at a later date. The contract start date provided is indicative, and both the start and end dates will be confirmed in due course.
⚠️

MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • None specified as this is a market engagement exercise, not a formal procurement.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • None specified as this is a market engagement exercise, not a formal procurement.
  • The Department for Education is keen to maximise opportunities for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) to participate in future procurement.
  • Consideration will be given to consortia and collaborative bids from all forms of organisations in future procurement.
🔧

TECHNICAL CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Suppliers providing feedback should ideally have experience in delivering large-scale professional training or workforce development programmes (indicative, not formal criteria).
  • Suppliers providing feedback should ideally have experience in change management and evaluating impact (indicative, not formal criteria).
  • Suppliers providing feedback should ideally have experience in designing accessible, inclusive, and compliant learning solutions (indicative, not formal criteria).
💰

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • None specified as this is a market engagement exercise, not a formal procurement.
  • All funding estimates referenced are indicative only and subject to change.
  • The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final scope or funding envelope of any future contractual activity.
📋

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • No formal submission requirements are specified as this is a market engagement exercise to gather feedback, not a competitive procurement.
  • The Department is keen to engage with suppliers on programme design and delivery models.

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HTM
Planning Notice
General Information007684-2026.html
Summary:
The Department for Education is conducting market engagement for a future Social Work National Professional Development Offer, inviting suppliers with experience in large-scale professional training, change management, and learning solution design to provide feedback to inform the programme's design and delivery.
DOC
OCDS Record
OCDS Data007684-2026_ocds_record.json
Summary:
The Department for Education is seeking market engagement and feedback to inform the design and delivery of a future national professional development offer for Child and Family Social Workers, covering early career, advanced child protection, and leadership programmes.
DOC
OCDS Release Package
OCDS Data007684-2026_ocds_release.json
Summary:
The Department for Education is conducting market engagement to inform the design and potential delivery of a national professional development offer for Child and Family Social Workers, seeking feedback from experienced suppliers on various training and leadership programmes.
PDF
Official PDF Version
General Information007684-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
The Department for Education is seeking market engagement and feedback from experienced suppliers on the design and delivery of a national professional development offer for Child and Family Social Workers, emphasizing that this is not a formal procurement but an information-gathering exercise.

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75
Good

Tender Quality Score

This market engagement notice is clear about its purpose to gather feedback for a future professional development offer, demonstrating good transparency and a commitment to broad supplier participation, despite lacking definitive contractual details typical of a formal tender.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance75/100

The notice clearly states it is a market engagement, not a formal procurement, which explains the absence of a defined procedure type and formal requirements. The CPV code is appropriate, and disclaimers are well-articulated, ensuring compliance with pre-procurement activities.

Clarity80/100

The description of the market engagement's purpose, indicative program scope, and desired supplier experience is very clear. It explicitly clarifies that this is not a formal procurement and that listed capabilities are indicative, preventing ambiguity.

Completeness70/100

While providing essential basic information and documents, the notice lacks definitive details for key contractual elements such as firm value, duration, and start date, which are all marked as 'indicative' or 'under review.' This is expected for market engagement but limits completeness from a full tender perspective.

Missing firm contract value
Missing firm contract duration
Fairness85/100

The DfE explicitly encourages participation from SMEs and VCSEs and considers consortia, promoting broad and fair access. Indicative experience requirements are generic. However, the classified value and lack of e-submission could present minor barriers.

Value is classified
No e-submission
Practicality65/100

Practicality is somewhat limited by the absence of electronic submission capabilities. Furthermore, the highly indicative nature of the estimated value, contract duration, and start date makes it challenging for potential suppliers to fully assess the future opportunity for planning purposes.

No e-submission
Highly indicative financial and timeline details
Data Consistency90/100

The data provided is largely consistent, with explanations for fields that might otherwise appear incomplete (e.g., 'Type: None' is clarified by the market engagement status). Dates are logical, and there are no reported disputes or suspensions. The 'Liable Person' field is empty.

Liable Person field is empty
Sustainability50/100

The tender's core subject matter, professional development for social workers, inherently addresses social aspects and aims for improved outcomes for children and families. The explicit encouragement of SMEs and VCSEs also contributes to social sustainability. However, there is no mention of green procurement or innovation focus.

No explicit green procurement focus
No explicit innovation focus

Strengths

Clear communication of market engagement purpose
Explicit encouragement for SME and VCSE participation
Relevant CPV code and well-defined indicative scope
Good transparency regarding non-committal nature

Concerns

Lack of e-submission for feedback
Highly indicative and classified financial details
Undefined firm contract duration and start date
Absence of explicit green or innovation criteria

Recommendations

1. Implement e-submission for market engagement to enhance accessibility.
2. Provide more specific (even if still indicative) financial ranges for future planning.
3. Clearly state how market feedback will be formally incorporated into future procurement design.

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B
Tender Quality Score
75/ 100 · Good

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