Scope
Reference
SWE10553
Description
Social Work England intends to procure a suitably qualified and experienced training provider to design, deliver and continuously improve a comprehensive training programme for Adjudicators, Legal Advisers (Partners) and Case Examiners involved in Fitness to Practise (FtP) decision-making. The programme will support newly appointed decision-makers through mandatory induction training and provide ongoing annual refresher training for existing cohorts, ensuring consistency, legal soundness and quality across all FtP decisions.
The appointed provider will be required to develop, implement and deliver training covering the statutory and regulatory framework applicable to Social Work England's adjudication and case examination functions. This includes but is not limited to: the Fitness to Practise Rules 2019 (as amended), the Social Workers Regulations 2018 (as amended), relevant regulatory case law, approaches to impairment, preliminary issues, procedural fairness, managing unrepresented registrants, avoiding bias, the realistic prospect test, and drafting clear and reasoned decisions. The training must incorporate interactive and practice-based learning, with anonymised examples where appropriate.
Training for FtP Partners will be delivered remotely. Training for Case Examiners will be delivered through a blend of remote, hybrid or in-person sessions, including an initial two-day programme. The contract includes the development of webinars, e-learning modules, virtual workshops, peer-led learning forums and reflective practice groups to broaden access through Social Work England's digital learning platform. All training must incorporate principles of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, including relevant legal duties, unconscious bias mitigation and cultural competence.
The provider will collaborate closely with Social Work England's Fitness to Practise, Legal and ED&I teams in planning, reviewing and refining the training offer. They will also be responsible for supplying training materials, pre-reading, recordings and an annual programme of delivery. Ongoing evaluation and quarterly performance reporting will be required, alongside participation in continuous improvement activity informed by appeals, Professional Standards Authority learning and internal quality assurance.
The initial contract term will be three years, with the option to extend for a further two years.
Contract 1. Fitness to Practise Partner Training Programme
Supplier
Contract value
- £354,167 excluding VAT
- £425,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
19 January 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
20 January 2026
Standstill period
- End: 29 January 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
10 February 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2029
- Possible extension to 28 February 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
The authority may, at its sole discretion, exercise extension options of up to an additional two years (in one or more increments), contingent upon ongoing requirements and acceptable contractor performance.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The contract may include optional additional services proposed by the supplier, which the authority may take up at its discretion if deemed to meet organisational needs. These optional services are not guaranteed. The following options have been proposed by the supplier:
1. Remote - Reflective Workshop - Case Examiners, Adjudicators, Legal Advisors
2. Case-examiner decision audit
3. Fitness to practise panel decision audit
4. Bi-annual case law update (remote)
5. Chair's skills training (remote)
CPV classifications
- 79140000 - Legal advisory and information services
- 80500000 - Training services
Contract locations
- UKE32 - Sheffield
Information about tenders
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
FIELDFISHER LLP
- Companies House: OC318472
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPBT-4318-RXZR
Riverbank House
London
EC4R 3TT
United Kingdom
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Fitness to Practise Partner Training Programme
Contracting authority
Social Work England
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZYZ-1666-HXBQ
1 North Bank, Blonk Street
Sheffield
S3 8JY
United Kingdom
Region: UKE32 - Sheffield
Organisation type: Public authority - central government