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UK4 Notice - Creation of a Lot for Expert Advisers on the ECSC Dynamic Framework

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

17 Jul 2026 at 10:57

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

17 Jul 2026 at 10:56

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

16 Jul 2026 at 13:04

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Education has released a tender opportunity titled "UK4 Notice - Creation of a Lot for Expert Advisers on the ECSC Dynamic Framework". This procurement process seeks to establish a pool of Children's Social Care Expert Advisers under Lot 14 of the Educational and Children's Social Care Professionals (ECSC) Dynamic Framework. The focus is on sectors related to education and training services, with the delivery expected across regions in the United Kingdom. The procurement is in the tender stage, with the initial tender window running from 16 July 2026 to 14 August 2026. This is an open procurement method, under the light-touch regime, as per the Public Contract Regulations 2015. Potential suppliers must complete mandatory pre-qualification questions before engaging with the Lot-specific requirements in the ITT. Key deadlines include the enquiry period ending on 7 August 2026, and bid submissions are due by 12:00 noon on 14 August 2026. The contract period is set to commence on 1 September 2026 and conclude on 31 March 2029, with possibilities for extensions.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses, especially those in the fields of social care consulting, diagnostics, and leadership training, to contribute to substantial reforms in children's social care services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to apply, aligning with the tender's suitability requirements. Joining this dynamic framework allows businesses to influence social care reforms directly, providing expert advice, diagnostics, and support for failing local authorities. Companies that possess expertise in managing change, service delivery models, and fostering inter-organizational partnerships will find this tender particularly relevant. Successful placement on the framework allows organisations access to direct call-off and mini-competition routes, facilitating ongoing engagement with the Department for Education to drive meaningful improvements in the social care sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UK4 Notice - Creation of a Lot for Expert Advisers on the ECSC Dynamic Framework

Notice Description

Procurement of a pool of Children's Social Care Expert Advisers (EAs), who will replace the use of Commissioners and Advisers, under Lot 14 of the Educational and Children's Social Care Professionals (ECSC) Dynamic Franework As a government, we believe reforming children's social care is central to ensuring children have the best possible start in life. We are delivering the most significant overhaul of the system in a generation, with an unwavering ambition to reform children's social care and achieve better outcomes for children. To help drive the required changes and service improvements we need to see, in 2026 we will be simplifying the department's improvement and intervention support to local authorities and aligning it with children's social care reform priorities. The Expert Adviser (EA) role is a challenging and wide ranging one which is pivotal to the success of our new approach to intervention. EAs will work for, and represent the DfE, drive forward our reforms including our recently published Enduring Relationships Strategy Enduring relationships - GOV.UK, the Families First Partnership Programme (FFP) and the implementation of care reform, and be directed to work with failing LAs. They will hold Secretary of State "powers to direct" set out by a statutory direction or improvement notice. The EA will work within a Dynamic framework (Established under PCR2015) initially undertaking an in-depth diagnostic (of approx. 40 days) of CSC services and work with DfE regional teams to broker a suitable CSC Improvement Team (CIT) based on the diagnostics findings. Once agreed and funding signed off, the EA, CIT and intervention LA will produce a single, authoritative Central Improvement Plan (CIP), to be approved by the LA owned Improvement Board. To effectively establish a cohort of experienced sector experts, we are looking to partner with individuals who can work closely with us to lead on the following elements (please note this list is not exhaustive): * Undertaking comprehensive and evidence-based diagnostics of CSC services in failing LAs to determine the most effective plan for improvement (including whether an alternative delivery model (ADM) to deliver services on behalf of the failing LA is recommended to the Minister). * Collaborating with the CIT, intervention LA and the department to agree the improvement plan, while holding robust, challenging conversations with the LA. Drive forward the plan, reporting back to the department and, where required, Ministers, on progress. * Advocating for and supporting local delivery of all aspects of CSC reforms within the LA and, where possible, with local safeguarding partners. * Maintain ongoing oversight for the agreed period of the plan to establish whether support is having the desired impact and that services are improving for children and families at the required pace. * Influence system leadership by identifying and promoting the conditions required for rapid improvement, including corporate leadership, resourcing and political engagement within Local Authorities. * Contribute to the wider community of practice by sharing insights, learning and good practice across EAs, CITs, and the Department, including participation in joint workshops. They may also provide ad-hoc advice or steers to the department on specific areas of work to inform internal policy. * The department has appointed a Lead EA who will provide high level professional assurance across the CSC intervention system. They will ensure consistency, rigour and credibility in all EA diagnostics and quarterly progress reports, strengthening the department's oversight of failing and high risk local authorities. EAs will be expected to work closely with the Lead EA. As part of the procurement process, we will hold a bidder event once the procurement has been launched to provide guidance and answer any questions relating to the framework lot - details will be provided via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal messaging system Once registered on Jaggaer, potential bidders will have access to the messaging system for clarifications and general messaging. Procurement Information The Department for Education is inviting tenders in line with this specification for suppliers to join Lot 14 CSC Expert Adviser of the ECSC Dynamic Framework. Potential Suppliers must have successfully responded to all mandatory pre-qualification questions in the overarching ITT prior to responding to the Lot-specific requirements contained within this Invitation to Tender. The initial tender window is from 16 July 2026 to 14 August 2026. Bidders can respond to the ITT by submitting bids to join the individual lot on the framework during this onboarding phase and will undergo rigorous supplier checks. The Department reserves the right to reopen the Lot to allow new entrants to the market to apply to join this Lot. Lot 14 CSC Expert Advisers - Sector Support of the Educational and Children's Social Care (ECSC) Framework Style Agreement will allow direct call-off and mini competition routes as detailed within schedule 3 of the Framework Agreement. Being awarded a place on the Dynamic Framework does not commit the Deparment for Education to award any call-off contracts with the suppliers. This opportunity is for successful organisations to be alloted a place on the framework only Please note that given the ECSC Framework was established prior to the go live of Procurement Act 2023, this opportunity notice to add a new lot to the framework is subject to the Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2015. To access the opportunity please use the following link https://education.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html Scroll down to view opportunities and search for (itt_4022 - DfE ECSC Framework: CSC Expert Adviser- Lot 14)

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The original tender notice to create the Dynamic Framework indicated up to 24-months extension

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ccf8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067714-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jul 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
14 Aug 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 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
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
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

JSON Markdown

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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