Planning

Youth Justice Worker Level 4 Qualification

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

13 Oct 2025 at 07:44

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

09 Oct 2025 at 14:10

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is in the planning phase for a procurement process concerning the provision of a Level 4 Youth Justice Worker Qualification. This initiative forms part of their efforts to enhance the Youth Custody Service workforce within England and Wales through a trauma-informed and accredited programme. The relevant market engagement sessions are scheduled virtually via Microsoft Teams, with a presentation on 21 October 2025 followed by supplier meetings on 22 October 2025. Interested parties must register by 20 October at 12 pm via the MoJ Jaggaer Portal to participate in these sessions. The procurement is classified under education and training services and follows the 'light touch' regime, with an expected value of £1,960,000. The contract period is set from 18 April 2026 to 17 April 2032, supporting annual enrolments across several Young Offender Institutions.

This tender offers substantial business opportunities, particularly for SMEs and VCSEs, to deliver specialised training services that address trauma-informed practices. As the Ministry of Justice endeavours to professionalise youth justice services, providers with expertise in creating accredited curriculums and working with custodial environments are ideally suited to compete for this contract. The focus on enhancing the skills of custody staff working with children provides potential for businesses to innovate in the education and therapeutic domains. This opportunity allows qualified providers to contribute to an essential societal service, enabling both business growth and strengthening community welfare through improved rehabilitation environments.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Youth Justice Worker Level 4 Qualification

Notice Description

The Authority is preparing to launch a tender for the provision of a Level 4 Youth Justice Worker Qualification on behalf of the Youth Custody Service. Through this notice the Authority is looking to engage with the current market regarding this future requirement. The Youth Custody Service (YCS) is a specialist division within HMPPS responsible for managing the youth secure estate in England and Wales. It oversees the placement and care of children and young people aged 10 to 17 who are remanded or sentenced to custody. This includes the following secure sectors: Secure Children's Homes (SCHs), Secure Training Centre (STC), Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) and the Secure School. The YCS aim to be a provider of high-quality children's services, where skilled, enthusiastic staff have the tools and capability to work with children in order to meet their individual needs, so that they are better able to lead rewarding, constructive lives upon their release. Aligned with the recommendations of the Charlie Taylor Review (2017)--which called for the professionalisation of the Youth Custody Service (YCS) workforce--we are seeking to commission a training provider to provide an accredited trauma-informed programme that is designed to enhance the skills, understanding and confidence of custody staff working with children in the secure estate. This approach should foster a deeper understanding of trauma and its behavioural impact, support the development of meaningful relationships between staff and children, and contribute to the creation of safer, more therapeutic settings focused on recovery and rehabilitation. The requirement is for a Level 4 Youth Justice Worker Qualification to replace the current Level 4 Children, young people and families practitioner Apprenticeship. The qualification must be grounded in the principles of trauma-informed practice. The provider must demonstrate a strong understanding of the needs and experiences of children in custodial environments, and be responsive to staffing structures, roles, and capability needs within Youth Justice settings and the custodial environment specifically. The course should deliver a structured, skills and knowledge-based learning experience for YCS staff working directly with children and young people. The content must be rooted in trauma-informed principles and evidence-based approaches to mental health and recovery within secure environments. The learning structure must align with the Youth Jsutice Skills Matrix The contract will enable five years of enrolments and suitable time for the last cohort of learners to complete the qualficiation within the contract term. Currently 100 learners are expected to enrol during each year of enrolments, these learners are expeteced to be split equitably between YOI Feltham, YOI Werrington and YOU Wetherby. The service commencement is estimated to start in the Spring of 2026, following the mobilisation phase which will include developing and finalising the curriculum and ensuring the course is appropriately accredited.

Planning Information

Market Engagement will be taking place on the dates below and will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams; 21/10/2025 – Market Engagement Presentation from YCS and MoJ Commercial 10 am - 11am 22/10/2025 – Supplier one-to-one 30 minute meetings. There will be seven slots for one-to-ones available between 9:30 and 16:30. The authority will allocate the time slots on a first come, first served basis. Please register your interest via 'PQQ_532 - Level 4 Youth Justice Worker Qualification' in the MoJ Jaggaer Portal by no later than 20th October at 12pm. Please send a message through PQQ_532 requesting attendance at the market engagement event . Providers are limited to an attendance of two members of staff. Please include the following detail in your message; - Full name (s) - Company/organisation name - Contact details (E-mail and phone number) - Please indicate if you would like a separate one to one session If you do not already have a Jaggaer account please register to create an account via the following link - https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/ If you have any issues registering, please contact 0845 0100 132 or e-mail esourcing@justice.gov.uk. This notice is for Information only and the Authority reserves the right to not proceed to tender. Additionally the Authority (MoJ) reserves the right to discontinue the tendering process and not to award the contract. The information contained in this notice, including information relating to the nature and scope of the requirements, the estimated value, the service classification of this requirement or the list of CPV codes, is only indicative of current thinking and is neither exhaustive nor binding and the Authority reserves the right at it's absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time. The publication of this notice in no way obliges the Authority to commence any competitive tender process. The Authority is not / shall not be liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in participating in this market engagement exercise. Any contracts are subject to the relevant legal and Cabinet Office controls and policies. The Authority reserves the right to source items included through other means (e.g. an existing contract or framework).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05abd1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064544-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,960,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
17 Apr 2026 - 17 Apr 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
mojprocurementlearninganddevelopment@justice.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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