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Social Work National Professional Development Offer

Department for Education

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

23 Jun 2026 at 16:32

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

23 Jun 2026 at 16:21

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

10 Mar 2026 at 17:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

10 Mar 2026 at 17:07

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

10 Mar 2026 at 16:41

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

29 Jan 2026 at 12:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

28 Jan 2026 at 15:20

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education is actively seeking suitably qualified suppliers to engage in the "Social Work National Professional Development Offer," focusing on creating a closed framework for learning and development targeted at Child and Family Social Workers across England. This substantial initiative is scheduled to run for nearly six years, concluding on 31 August 2032, and has significant funding with an estimated gross value of £129.6 million. Suppliers are expected to design, develop, and deliver training that is digitally inclusive, ensuring access and scalability. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage, with final applications to be submitted by 5 August 2026. This offer is structured into two main Lots: the first, focusing on early to mid-career development, and the second, on senior leadership capacities.

This procurement presents a notable opportunity for businesses involved in professional training and workforce development, particularly those with experience in large-scale projects and digital learning solutions. With a robust budget and a long-term commitment, companies can leverage this opportunity to expand their services and enhance their credibility in the educational training sector. It is particularly well-suited for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs), which can bid for one or both Lots, allowing flexibility and accommodation for diverse business models. The framework's focus on developing structured career pathways through skill enhancement aligns with growing industry needs, encouraging businesses to bring innovative solutions to the forefront.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Social Work National Professional Development Offer

Notice Description

The Department for Education (DfE) is inviting applications from suitably qualified suppliers to join a closed framework to design, develop and deliver a national learning and development offer for Child and Family Social Workers in England. Call Off Contracts will be awarded annually through Call Off exercises that are detailed within the Framework Agreement throughout the Framework Term. The Social Work National Professional Development Offer Framework is intended to strengthen qualified child and family social workers' development and support clearer, structured career pathways aligned to the specialist knowledge and skills required to more effectively support children and families. Delivery will be supported through an appropriate digital platform to enable flexible access, consistency of provision and scalability across the workforce. Suppliers will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the service, including programme design, development of learning content, delivery of training, digital hosting, user experience, and the provision of supporting resources and materials. The framework will operate for the term of 5 years and 11 months. Without prejudice to any other rights of termination set out in the Framework Agreement, the Department may terminate this Framework Agreement in whole by exercising a break option with effect from 31 August 2029. The framework agreement will be split into 2 Lots as follows: Lot 1 - the Early Career Development Programme (ECDP), the Family Help Team Manager Programme (FHTMP), and the Lead Child Protection Practitioner Programme (LCPPP). Each strand focuses on developing practice and management across key roles within the workforce. Lot 2 - the Leadership Programme (LP) and the Director of Children's Services Leadership Programme (DCSLP), which is aimed at strengthening leadership capacity at senior levels. The estimated number of participants per programme will be approximately 2800 a year for ECDP, up to 500 a year for LCPPP, approximately 500 a year across 4 cohorts for FHTMP, up to 130 a year (65 in post + 65 aspirant) for LP and all new and interim DCS and a minimum of 20 aspirants for DCSLP annually, Numbers of participants are subject to demand and will be confirmed at Call Off stage. A maximum of three suppliers will be appointed to Lot 1 and a maximum of two suppliers for Lot 2. Suppliers may bid for, and be awarded, multiple lots or bid for a lot independently. The Department may make Changes to reflect variations in its requirements for the Services, including but not limited to where demand for the Services is greater than anticipated. Such Changes may include: (a) amendments to the volume or scale of the Services [and proportionate increases to the maximum value of this Framework Agreement and/or any Call-Off Contracts]; and (b) the introduction of an additional Lot or Lots into this Framework Agreement during its term, provided that any such Change does not materially alter the overall nature of this Framework Agreement. All communication relating to this procurement must be submitted via the Jaggaer portal.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Lot 1 comprises of the Early Career Development Programme (ECDP), the Family Help Team Manager Programme (FHTMP), and the Lead Child Protection Practitioner Programme (LCPPP). The Framework Agreement will have a total value of PS17.7m for year 1 and 2 with budgets outlined below. Funding from 2028-2029 is subject to future Spending Reviews and departmental business planning.

Options: The Department may make Changes to reflect variations in its requirements for the Services, including but not limited to where demand for the Services is greater than anticipated. Such Changes may include: (a) amendments to the volume or scale of the Services [and proportionate increases to the maximum value of this Framework Agreement and/or any Call-Off Contracts]; and (b) the introduction of an additional Lot or Lots into this Framework Agreement during its term, provided that any such Change does not materially alter the overall nature of this Framework Agreement.

Lot 2

Lot 2 comprises of the Leadership programme (LP) and Directors of Children's Services Leadership programme (DCSLP) The Framework Agreement will have a total value of PS17.7m for year 1 and 2 with budgets outlined below. Funding from 2028-2029 is subject to future Spending Reviews and departmental business planning.

Options: The Department may make Changes to reflect variations in its requirements for the Services, including but not limited to where demand for the Services is greater than anticipated. Such Changes may include: (a) amendments to the volume or scale of the Services [and proportionate increases to the maximum value of this Framework Agreement and/or any Call-Off Contracts]; and (b) the introduction of an additional Lot or Lots into this Framework Agreement during its term, provided that any such Change does not materially alter the overall nature of this Framework Agreement.

Planning Information

The Department will be holding an initial supplier engagement event on 09 February 2026 from 11:00am to 12:15pm. Deadline for registering for the event on 09 February 2026 is 06 February 2026 12:00pm (GMT) via Jaggaer. The event will be accessible via the ‘View Opportunities’ link on the Jaggaer e-Tendering portal Homepage. Select the Opportunity Notice for ‘Social Work National Professional Development Offer Engagement Event- itt_3856' and this will take you directly to the registration page. This event is open to all potential suppliers, regardless of previous engagement with the Department. The event will provide an overview of the Social Work National Professional Development Offer (SWNPDO) outline and upcoming market engagement activities scheduled shortly afterwards. Following the event, suppliers will be invited to complete a questionnaire to register for the 1-2-1 sessions which will be held between 13th and 19th February 2026. Additional 1-2-1 sessions may be held in March 2026 and will provide final opportunity to clarify any outstanding queries. Deadlines for registration for other events will be noted via the jaggaer messaging system or via the event on 06 February 2026. All correspondence will be shared via Jaggaer.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061118
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059128-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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

80400000 - Adult and other education services

80510000 - Specialist training services

80530000 - Vocational training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£108,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£18,340,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jun 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
5 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
22 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Oct 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Education
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 3BT
Postcode Area
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
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
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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