Award

Children's Homes Workforce Review into Professional Development

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Apr 2026 at 11:37

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education, located in London, has completed the procurement process for the "Children’s Homes Workforce Review into Professional Development" project, which falls under the Education and Training Services industry category. This project entails a comprehensive review of the professional development needs for children's homes workforce in England, intended to inform upcoming reforms in social care. The contract was awarded directly to Catch 22 Charity Limited, a large supplier known for its innovative approach aligned with the Danish model of social pedagogy. The procurement method was a direct award justified for technical reasons under the Procurement Act 2023, reflecting the urgency and specialised nature of the service. The contract period is from 24th April 2026 to 31st August 2026, with an option for a three-month extension, covering multiple regions across the United Kingdom.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses that specialise in workforce training and development, particularly those with expertise in social care and children’s services. By leveraging this contract, businesses can expand their reach and influence within the public sector, especially those capable of providing innovative and holistic development programmes. The focus on a specialised and innovative approach indicates opportunities for businesses that can offer unique, research-driven training solutions. Small and medium enterprises, as well as those involved in voluntary and charity sectors, are potentially well-suited to engage in similar tenders in the future, especially if they can demonstrate a unique methodology or capability that aligns with the strategic needs of public sector reforms.

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Notice Title

Children's Homes Workforce Review into Professional Development

Notice Description

The Department for Education is to undertake a review of professional development for the children's homes workforce in England. The supplier will define the purpose of residential care, the knowledge and skills staff require, recommend improvements to qualifications and training, and consider how routes into the sector and career pathways can be developed to improve retention and progression.

Procurement Information

The review needs to be completed as soon as possible to inform reforms underway in children's social care. This includes a smaller, more specialised children's homes sector. A specialist service provider is required. The supplier: Is a leader in innovation and practice in the children's homes workforce space. Adopts a unique approach grounded in the Danish model of social pedagogy, which integrates care and education in a holistic way. The supplier has recently developed and launched a Level 6 graduate diploma in residential care with Kingston University, to improve workforce practice. These factors align with the direct award justifications outlined in the Procurement Act 2023 for technical reasons.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067fef
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032797-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£112,500 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Apr 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Apr 20265 days ago
Contract Period
23 Apr 2026 - 31 Aug 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CATCH 22 CHARITY

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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