Tender

Provision of a Fitness to Practise Emotional Support Line

SOCIAL WORK ENGLAND

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

17 Mar 2026 at 09:46

Summary of the contracting process

Social Work England is seeking an external service provider through a public procurement process to offer a 24/7 emotional support line for individuals impacted by fitness to practise proceedings. The procurement process is in the tender stage, with the tender period concluding on 11th April 2026. Headquartered in Sheffield, the organisation is classified under public authority central government. The procurement falls within the guidance and counselling services industry category, with delivery across the United Kingdom. The tender uses an open, competitive flexible procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, comprising a two-stage process including an Invitation to Tender and an Interview Stage. Key deadlines include the end of the enquiry period on 1st April 2026, and the award period ends on 1st May 2026.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses specialising in counselling and helpline services, especially those with expertise in professional regulation or sensitive investigative environments. The contract period begins on 18th May 2026 and extends up to a maximum of five years, including possible extensions. Businesses equipped with technical infrastructure and national coverage capabilities, alongside staff trained in safeguarding, suicide prevention, and trauma management, are ideal candidates. The tender encourages participation from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), offering a substantial contract valued at £483,333 with an option for renewal.

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Notice Title

Provision of a Fitness to Practise Emotional Support Line

Notice Description

Social Work England is looking to contract with an external Service Provider to deliver an emotional support service to those affected by fitness to practise proceedings. This service will be accessible by telephone as the primary route, with additional channels such as email, WhatsApp and live or web-based chat, for social workers, witnesses and complainants (those that raise fitness to practise concerns) and others affected by the fitness to practise process. This service must be accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: A maximum of 5 years. 3 years and up to two 12-month extensions.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066bbf
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023839-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312310 - Guidance services

85312320 - Counselling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£483,333 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£483,333 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Mar 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
11 Apr 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
17 May 2026 - 17 May 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2031-03-01

Notice Status

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

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
Post Town
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
Not specified

Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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