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Procurement of Legal Investigation and Advocacy Service in Fitness to Practise

Social Work England

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

22 May 2026 at 15:52

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

27 Feb 2026 at 08:47

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

05 Dec 2025 at 10:38

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

01 Dec 2025 at 16:25

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

31 Oct 2025 at 15:43

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Social Work England is procuring a legal investigation and advocacy service in the fitness to practise sector, with a focus on legal services. This procurement process, under the procurement ID SWE10547, is being managed through an open and competitive flexible procedure, which aligns with the UK's light-touch regime. The contract, which is set to commence on 7th July 2026 and could extend until 6th July 2031, aims to collaborate with two suppliers over a maximum five-year term to eliminate a backlog of 400 cases and standardise the process of about 150 cases yearly. Based in Sheffield, Social Work England plays a central role in ensuring public safety within the social work industry across the UK, with a legal basis under the UKPGA 2023/54.

This tender presents an opportunity for growth, particularly for large-scale legal service providers capable of meeting the rigorous financial and technical requirements set out. Firms with the capacity for comprehensive legal investigations, advocacy, and case management, as well as those with familiarity with UK regulatory standards, will find this contract beneficial for diversifying their portfolio in public sector legal services. The large contract value of £40.9 million suggests significant business potential for those companies adept in handling complex legal services within the public authority framework. As such, this opportunity is ideal for established legal firms that can manage the complexities associated with Social Work England's extensive operational scope.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Procurement of Legal Investigation and Advocacy Service in Fitness to Practise

Notice Description

The Authority is looking for two 2 Suppliers to deliver the following as part of the Service: a. conduct further investigation and prepare cases for Fitness to Practise hearings or meetings; b. undertake pre-hearing case management procedures in accordance with agreed performance targets and in collaboration with other parties to the hearing; and c. ensure the presentation of cases before adjudicators at hearings (those hearings are predominantly carried out remotely using video conferencing software but can, on occasion, be in-person at our offices in Sheffield). Over a period of 3 - 5 years, the Authority aims to work with the Suppliers to eliminate the current backlog of circa 400 cases awaiting a final hearing. By the end of this period, the intention is to have worked successfully in partnership with the Suppliers to both eliminate the backlog and to be managing a 'steady state' of circa 150 cases being processed per annum. This contract has a maximum value of PS40.9 million. Contract 1 and Contact 2 notice values of PS20.45 million, represents an estimated allocation and is provided for indicative purposes only.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Up to two extensions are available for 12 months each. The maximum extension period is for 24 months if both extensions are taken.

Planning Information

This engagement set out to understand the current availability and skill set available by Fitness to Practise specialists. Social Work England presented to suppliers in July, from there 121 meetings occurred to gain feedback from interested suppliers.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d84e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048162-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£34,083,333 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£34,083,333 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£17,041,666 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 May 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
5 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
22 May 20263 months ago
Contract Period
7 Jul 2026 - 6 Jul 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2031-03-21

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Social Work England
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S3 8JY
Postcode Area
Sheffield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

CAPSTICKS SOLICITORS LLP

KINGSLEY NAPLEY LLP

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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