Scope
Description
The Social Work Induction Programme (SWIP) will significantly extend the training and support child and family social workers receive in the early stages of their career, helping to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need and retain them in the profession. We plan for the induction support for early career social workers to be extended from one year in the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) to two years in the SWIP. We have developed a new set of Post-Qualifying Standards (PQS) which set out the knowledge and skills new social workers need by the end of their second year in post, they will underpin the training and development within those first two years of the children's social work profession.
There is a live consultation on the PQS which closes on 28th May 2025 https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/childrens-social-work-post-qualifying-standards-and-induction
We are considering our approach to potential procurement of training and development services available to new social workers and are keen to talk to interested suppliers about development of the training programme and programme design.
As we do this, we're seeking market input to better understand views to our proposed procurement and delivery approaches. This is to help us continue to develop a procurement approach.
Over the coming months, we will use this information to shape our approach to any SWIP commercial work.
Please note, this notice is not being used to signify the commencement of any competitive process and does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education.
Funding estimates included within the notice are indicative only and are subject to Spending Review outcomes. The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final funding envelope for contractual activity.
Total value (estimated)
- £2,000,000 excluding VAT
- £2,400,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 May 2025
Engagement process description
The Department will be holding an initial market engagement event on 29th April 2025 from 10:15 to 11:45. This event is open to all potential suppliers, whether or not they have engaged with the Department previously. In this event, the Department will provide an overview of the Programme and provide information on future market engagement events which will be run shortly after this event.
If you would like to attend this event, please express your interest through the DfE Jaggaer e-tendering portal:
https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
Once registered on the system, the opportunity will be visible through the 'View Opportunities' link at the bottom of the page. Registrations for the event will close at 17:00 on Friday 25th April 2025.
Following the event, potential suppliers will be invited to complete a questionnaire, this will also include a link to register for a 1-2-1 session. The 1-2-1- sessions will be held between the 14th and 23rd May 2025.
A further event may be held mid to end of June dependent on engagement at 1-2-1 sessions and will provide a final opportunity to clarify any outstanding queries.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
6 October 2025
Contracting authority
Department for Education
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDZG-3487-DPVD
Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street
London
SW1P3BT
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government