Award

Adult Social Care (ASC) Workforce Support Programme 2026

  • Department of Health & Social Care

UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-075431

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-055fdf (view related notices)

Published 19 November 2025, 5:26pm



Scope

Reference

C361780

Description

Three tendered lots for the provision of a comprehensive Adult Social Care Workforce Support Programme.

-Lot 1: Workforce Support - A large, combined lot including retention, recruitment, upskilling, and adoption activities. This provides subject matter expertise to inform policy and provide implementation support for the sector.

-Lot 2: Quality Assured Care Learning Service - this ensures the availability and provision of quality training that is accessible to the workforce and reflects the needs of the populations they serve.

-Lot 3: Market research - targeted sector research and insights to aid policy development.

The work in these areas align with our overall strategy to attract and retain a sufficient and skilled workforce to provide the right care for the evolving needs of the population.

Contract start dates

Lots 1 & 2 - 1st January 2026

Lot 3 - April 1st 2026


Lot 1. Workforce Support

Description

A large, combined lot including retention, recruitment, upskilling, and adoption activities. This provides subject matter expertise to inform policy and provide implementation support for the sector.


Lot 2. Quality Assured Care Learning Service

Description

this ensures the availability and provision of quality training that is accessible to the workforce and reflects the needs of the populations they serve.


Lot 3. Market research

Description

targeted sector research and insights to aid policy development.


Contract 1. Adult Social Care (ASC) Workforce Support Programme

Lots

Lot 1. Workforce Support

Lot 2. Quality Assured Care Learning Service

Lot 3. Market research

Suppliers (2)

Contract value

  • £52,541,973 excluding VAT
  • £63,894,869 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Award decision date

19 November 2025

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

19 November 2025

Standstill period

  • End: 28 November 2025
  • 8 working days

Earliest date the contract will be signed

19 December 2025

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2029
  • Possible extension to 31 March 2031
  • 5 years, 3 months

Description of possible extension:

two 12 month extension options for Lot 1 & Lot 2 Only

Main procurement category

Services

Options

The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.

option to extend for lots 1 & 2 only

CPV classifications

  • 85321000 - Administrative social services
  • 79315000 - Social research services
  • 75122000 - Administrative healthcare services
  • 80561000 - Health training services
  • 85000000 - Health and social work services
  • 80000000 - Education and training services
  • 75120000 - Administrative services of agencies
  • 75130000 - Supporting services for the government
  • 72300000 - Data services

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Information about tenders

Lot 1. Workforce Support

  • 4 tenders received
  • 4 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 1 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 2 suppliers awarded contracts
  • 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Unsuccessful suppliers


Lot 2. Quality Assured Care Learning Service

  • 4 tenders received
  • 4 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 1 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 2 suppliers awarded contracts
  • 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Unsuccessful suppliers


Lot 3. Market research

  • 5 tenders received
  • 5 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 1 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 2 suppliers awarded contracts
  • 3 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Unsuccessful suppliers


Submission

Submission type

Tenders


Procedure

Procedure type

Competitive flexible procedure


Suppliers

IPSOS Mori

  • Companies House: 01640855

3 Thomas More Square

London

E1W 1YW

United Kingdom

Region: UKI42 - Tower Hamlets

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Adult Social Care (ASC) Workforce Support Programme

Matt Hamnett & Associates

  • Companies House: 11197120

1a Kingsburys Lane

Ringwood

BH24 1EL

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ36 - Central Hampshire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Paratus Partners

  • Companies House: 11026739

Regus Fairbourne Drive,

Milton Keynes

MK10 9RG

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ12 - Milton Keynes

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

QMC Healthcare Ltd

  • Companies House: 12140857

Cadman House Maurice Way

Colchester

CO3 0NW

United Kingdom

Region: UKH34 - Essex Haven Gateway

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Skills for Care Ltd

  • Companies House: 03866683

West Gate, 6 Grace Street

Leeds

LS1 2RP

United Kingdom

Region: UKE42 - Leeds

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. Adult Social Care (ASC) Workforce Support Programme


Contracting authority

Department of Health & Social Care

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMQG-9965-CHZR

39 Victoria Street

London

SW1H 0EU

United Kingdom

Region: UKI32 - Westminster

Organisation type: Public authority - central government