Published date: 11 June 2018

Last edited date: 11 June 2018

This notice was replaced on 9 January 2019

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 18 April 2019, last edited 18 April 2019)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Social work and related services - 85300000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£35,000,000 to £50,000,000

Procurement reference

1529

Published date

11 June 2018

Closing date

10 July 2018

Contract start date

31 December 2018

Contract end date

31 October 2023

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold)

Anyone may ask to participate, but only those who are pre-selected will be invited to submit initial tenders and to negotiate.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

See 'Attachments' for full description.

The Department for Education is seeking the provision of initial qualifying social work education through an employment-based, fast-track route. We are looking to secure a contractor to:

1. train 700 - 900 social workers through two cohorts, starting in 2020;

2. attract high performing graduates to the programme;

3. assess candidates so that trainees display the highest aptitude for child and family social work;

4. design and deliver training allowing for accelerated qualification as a social worker;

5. deliver training and employment placements through partnership with English providers of statutory children's social care services.

More information

Attachments

Additional text

The Department will be running a supplier engagement event on Wednesday 20 June from 14:00 - 16:00 in London; and on Thursday 21 June from 13:30 - 15:30 in Manchester. Please contact us at FastTrack.SOCIALWORK@education.gov.uk for futher information and to request a copy of the Selection Questionnaire (SQ). This document will form your initial tender.

An electronic copy of your SQ must be received by email no later than 12:00 on Tuesday 10 July 2018. Late tenders will not be considered.

Indicative value of the contract is estimated to be between £35-50m.

Start date: by 31 December 2018 (indicative). End date would be dependent on course timings agreed with the contractor.

The contract may include options to extend the contract for the delivery of one or two further cohorts.

About the buyer

Address

2 St. Paul's Place, 125 Norfolk St,
Sheffield
S1 1FJ
England

Email

FastTrack.SOCIALWORK@education.gov.uk