Scope
Reference
SWE10562
Description
As part of its statutory duty to investigate concerns about the fitness to practise of social workers, Social Work England may, where appropriate, require registrants to undergo a medical assessment, particularly in cases where concerns relate to a registrant's mental or physical health. As Social Work England does not possess the internal capacity to deliver these specialist services, it is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Service Provider to work in partnership to deliver a high-quality and robust Medical Assessment Service. The appointed provider will be responsible for conducting comprehensive medical assessments and producing clear, quantifiable, evidence-based reports that determine whether a registrant's mental and/or physical health may be impaired to the extent that it could affect their fitness to practise. Experts may also be required, when necessary, to provide witness testimony in fitness to practise hearings.
Total value (estimated)
- £400,000 excluding VAT
- £480,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 4 March 2026 to 3 March 2029
- Possible extension to 3 March 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
1 x 24 months extension
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79111000 - Legal advisory services
- 79140000 - Legal advisory and information services
- 85100000 - Health services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
17 December 2025, 5:30pm
Tender submission deadline
8 January 2026, 5:30pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
3 February 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 3 March 2029
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Life Cost Model | Price | 30.00% |
| Understanding of Requirements | Quality | 17.50% |
| Quality Assurance | Quality | 17.50% |
| Relevant Experience | Quality | 14.00% |
| Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Accessibility | Quality | 10.50% |
| Environmental Sustainability and Carbon Reduction - Social Value | Quality | 10.50% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Fluctuating Workload Due to Increased Funding
The Authority anticipates that additional funding will enable the progression of longstanding and complex cases, which, combined with the inherently variable nature of fitness to practise case demand, may result in fluctuations in workload, including periods of heightened or urgent activity.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Social Work England
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZYZ-1666-HXBQ
1 North Bank, Blonk Street
Sheffield
S3 8JY
United Kingdom
Contact name: Andrew Bailey
Region: UKE32 - Sheffield
Organisation type: Public authority - central government