Award

Social Worker Level 6 Apprenticeship Programme

BRIGHTON AND HOVE CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Oct 2025 at 15:28

Summary of the contracting process

The recent public procurement process, overseen by Brighton and Hove City Council, pertains to the "Social Worker Level 6 Apprenticeship Programme". It targets the social work and health services industry and is situated in Hove, East Sussex, UK. The contracting process has reached the Award stage, with the contract being awarded to Brighton University on 22nd July 2025. The programme, which utilises funds from the apprenticeship levy, is set to commence on 1st September 2025 and conclude on 1st September 2028. The procurement method employed was direct, below the threshold, without competition, leveraging a special regime termed "light touch". This approach ensures optimal use of available funds to support local staff upskilling.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for business growth, particularly for educational and training institutions specialising in apprenticeship programmes. Businesses that are adept at delivering high-quality vocational training and can offer flexible learning pathways stand to gain. By providing both a Level 6 BSc and a Level 7 MSc pathway within the apprenticeship, the programme caters to diverse educational needs and supports long-term career progression for social work candidates. Companies engaged in similar educational endeavours with proven expertise in apprentice programme delivery would be well-suited to compete in subsequent procurement opportunities of this nature, potentially by proposing similar innovative and cost-efficient solutions for government contracts.

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Notice Title

Social Worker Level 6 Apprenticeship Programme

Notice Description

The funding for the Social Worker apprenticeship training costs will come from the apprenticeship levy pot rather than a service budget. This levy is an accumulation of 0.5% of the councils pay bill paid into this government levy pot every month. It currently stands at PS2.8m and can only be spent on apprenticeship training. Monies not spent within 24 months will automatically expire. The cost of the social worker apprenticeship training would be paid from the levy and will help minimise funds expiring so it would be prudent for the Council to enter into a contract as soon as possible for the next available term date which is September 2025. There is a set funding band for each individual apprenticeship and for the Social Worker apprenticeship it is set at 24k. The standard programme includes the Level 6 BSc in Social Work. However, the University of Brighton are the only local provider offering the opportunity to gain a level 7 MSc Social Work Degree for those with a first degree whilst also studying the apprenticeship in Social Work at level 6. This is at a reduced duration of 2 years rather than 3 years so a significant reduction for both the learner, and the service. This will be reduced in price accordingly and offered at PS19,677 pp so saving the council PS4,323 pp from the levy pot for those taking this route. If the Council were to support staff to qualify outside of the apprenticeship route this would cost between PS15,700 and PS28,605 per apprentice depending on the qualification and this would be payable from council budgets rather than the levy pot so a total saving of PS90,000-PS171,000. By offering both the level 6 BSc (3years) and level 7 MSc (2years) pathways within the apprenticeship, the Council are offering maximum flexibility and the most efficient route to qualify and will satisfy our people promise in giving staff the opportunity to do their best and promotes our responsibility in offering progression and wider opportunities to our staff supporting the following aims: 1. Recruiting and rewarding well, with flexible paths for progression 2. Great performance supported by the right development It is also supporting the local area so not only minimising travel costs and carbon footprint but is keeping funding within the city. The University of Brighton are an approved provider on our Supplier List, have a "Good" Ofsted rating, an "Excellent" 4* apprentice rating and "Good" 3* employer rating on the Institute for Apprenticeships website and an 89% achievement rate. The contract will be monitored by the Apprenticeship Team through * Bi-monthly progress updates * Bi-monthly contract meetings with UoB * Quality feedback reviews In summary, offering local provision for the Social Worker Level 6 programme who offer flexibility of both L6 and L7 pathways with proven quality of delivery will ensure maximum support and accessibility for our staff to upskill to become social work qualified. It will help address the shortage of qualified Social Workers, maximising savings for the Council and ensuring optimal usage of the apprenticeship levy funds.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ad28
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/064347-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£144,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 1 Sep 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BRIGHTON AND HOVE CITY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurementpmo@eastsussex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
HOVE
Postcode
BN3 3BQ
Post Town
Brighton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ21 Brighton and Hove
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Brighton and Hove
Electoral Ward
Central Hove
Westminster Constituency
Hove and Portslade

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BRIGHTON UNIVERSITY

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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