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Level 6 Social Work Apprenticeships ST0510

Milton Keynes City Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Sep 2026 at 16:28

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Milton Keynes Council procured Level 6 Social Work Apprenticeships under standard ST0510, providing university-level adult education and professional development for the council’s social work workforce. The purpose is to develop social workers within the organisation, strengthening their understanding of council policies, values and local systems, supporting staff retention and reducing reliance on agency workers. The service is delivered for Milton Keynes Council in Milton Keynes. The procurement is for services, classified under CPV 80430000. The awarded education provider is The Open University, based in Milton Keynes. The requirement is therefore relevant to universities, higher-education providers and organisations able to deliver degree-level social work apprenticeship training for a local authority workforce.

This procurement is complete and was awarded to The Open University on 2 July 2026. The contract is valued at £360,000 and runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029. The requirement was procured through a selective call-off from a dynamic purchasing system, with submissions due by 1 July 2026 at 5pm. Milton Keynes Council awarded the full requirement to one supplier. The contract provides Level 6 Social Work Apprenticeships under ST0510. It was treated as a service procurement and the opportunity was identified as unsuitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations. The award is active.

This award demonstrates established council demand for degree-level social work apprenticeship provision that develops existing employees into qualified social workers. A credible future competitor would need to deliver Level 6 training aligned with the ST0510 standard, support apprentices throughout a three-year programme and work effectively with a local authority’s workforce, policies and service environment. The successful provider’s university-level education capability and established scale indicate that competitors should be able to manage a substantial, sustained cohort rather than isolated training activity. Relevant strengths include higher-education delivery, social work teaching, apprenticeship administration, learner support and the ability to coordinate closely with council managers. Experience improving retention and workforce continuity would also fit the requirement’s underlying purpose.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Level 6 Social Work Apprenticeships ST0510

Notice Description

Growing social workers "from within" fosters a workforce with a deep understanding of the council's values, policies, and local systems. Apprentices trained in the council are more likely to remain with the organisation long-term, reducing turnover and reliance on agency staff. This continuity directly benefits service users through more stable relationships and consistent decision-making.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-a8701f05-87fe-4baa-ba0a-aa3cc901d47e
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/585b1167-a88c-49d6-8e1b-76d78a79c14b
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80430000 - Adult-education services at university level

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Sep 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Jul 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Milton Keynes City Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MILTON KEYNES
Postcode
MK9 3EJ
Postcode Area
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ12 Milton Keynes
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Milton Keynes
Electoral Ward
Central Milton Keynes
Westminster Constituency
Milton Keynes Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

The Open University

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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