Planning

Social Mobility Commission - Qualitative research understanding the experiences of young people who are NEET

SOCIAL MOBILITY COMMISSION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

07 Dec 2025 at 20:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Social Mobility Commission, an independent statutory body part of central government in the UK, is in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Social Mobility Commission - Qualitative research understanding the experiences of young people who are NEET." This initiative focuses on qualitative research to explore the experiences of young people who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). The project includes a pilot study in Blackpool, and there is potential expansion to two additional locations in North East England and the West Midlands. The engagement phase is scheduled from 8th to 23rd December 2025, during which the Commission seeks expressions of interest and feasibility clarifications regarding the research. Any clarifications should be submitted by 19th December 2025, with expressions of interest due by 23rd December 2025.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in social research services, particularly those capable of conducting qualitative research within tight timelines. Companies experienced in working with young populations, particularly those familiar with NEET demographics, are well-suited to bid. The opportunity requires conducting in-depth interviews and focus groups, utilising diverse sampling methods, and collaborating with local stakeholders. Participants are to be recruited through local entities in Blackpool with a budget ranging from £50k to £80k, excluding VAT, for the pilot phase. This procurement can aid the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) by enabling them to demonstrate their expertise in conducting impactful social research projects, potentially leading to further collaboration with governmental bodies.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Social Mobility Commission - Qualitative research understanding the experiences of young people who are NEET

Notice Description

The Social Mobility Commission (SMC) monitors progress towards improving social mobility in the UK and promotes social mobility in England. It is an independent statutory body created by an Act of Parliament. The SMC is conducting qualitative research to understand the lived experiences of young people who are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), the factors that lead to them becoming and remaining NEET, and the barriers to effective support. This project aims to address key gaps in existing research, particularly the need for qualitative understanding of how complex, co-occurring, and compounding factors contribute to being NEET, and to examine this issue through a social mobility lens. The approach will be qualitative and phased, including a pilot in Blackpool with the potential to roll-out to two other high-NEET areas in North East England and the West Midlands (to be determined with the SMC). The supplier is required to deliver the Blackpool Pilot phase, which includes: - Carrying out semi-structured interviews with young people who are NEET in Blackpool with the aim of understanding young people's lived experiences of becoming NEET, their daily lives, and how support could be improved. - Carrying out one or two follow-up focus groups to consider what NEET young people think would help their return to education, employment or training. - Utilising a sampling approach that aims for diversity across key characteristics such as age, race, sex, and disability status. - Recruiting participants through local stakeholders such as the Blackpool Trailblazer, or other methods.. - Ensuring the research uses local youth forums to support development of interview questions and validate findings - Ensure that the pilot methodology established is robust for potential roll-out to other areas. - Using quantitative insights from relevant official and reliable data sources, ideally accessed at the local level to help contextualise the findings. The budget for this pilot is between PS 50k to 80k excluding VAT (to be confirmed). Following the Pilot, the supplier will be required to replicate the study in two other geographical areas. Potentially in the North East England and West Midlands Combined Authority trailblazers. Objectives and Deliverables Pilot study: - Submitting research plan and ethical proposal by March 2026 - Fieldwork completed by June 2026 - Final report by August 2026 Subsequent research locations: - Timelines to be agreed, with final report delivery by August 2027. About our organisation The Social Mobility Commission exists to create a United Kingdom where the circumstances of birth do not determine outcomes in life. It is responsible for: - Publishing an annual report setting out our views on the progress made towards improving social mobility in the United Kingdom. - Promoting social mobility in England, for example, by supporting employers, the professions, universities and schools to play their part in promoting social mobility. - Carrying out and publishing research in relation to social mobility. - Providing advice to ministers (at their request) on how to improve social mobility in England - this advice must then be published. The strategic objectives of the SMC are - To change the debate on social mobility. - To provide independent advice to policy and decision makers cross-sector, so they understand how to consider socio-economic disadvantage as part of their work. - To catalyse meaningful and measurable action by local and national government that can improve outcomes for all.

Planning Information

This is a pre-market warming exercise. The SMC is engaging with suppliers who have expertise in conducting qualitative research with young people to discuss and test the preliminary thoughts for this research proposal and establish a robust methodology for the Blackpool Pilot. The engagement period is from 08/12/2025 to 23/12/2025. Engagement can take the form of: - Phone calls with prospective suppliers. - Supplier meetings. We are seeking expressions of interest and clarification on the feasibility of the proposed research, particularly regarding the challenging timeline and the delivery of a robust methodology. Please submit any comments or expressions of interest to contact@socialmobilitycommission.gov.uk by 5 pm on 23/12/2025. Any clarification questions should be sent to contact@socialmobilitycommission.gov.uk by 5 pm 19/12/2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f045
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080395-2025
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

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

CPV Codes

79315000 - Social research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Dec 2025Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Jan 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Aug 2026 6-12 months
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
SOCIAL MOBILITY COMMISSION
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
contact@socialmobilitycommission.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2HQ
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

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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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