Partners in Care and Health - External Evaluation of the Continuous Improvement Programme 2026-29

Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

27 Oct 2026 at 08:20

Tender

26 Oct 2026 at 15:24

Summary of the contracting process

The Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA) is seeking an external evaluation of Partners in Care and Health’s Continuous Improvement Programme for adult social care. The programme, commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care, provides improvement support to councils and systems delivering adult social care services. The evaluator will develop a transparent approach to assess the programme’s overall value and impact, then evaluate its support offers and identify ways to improve how value is demonstrated. The work also includes reviewing the existing impact management framework, mapping information captured and gaps, and recommending improvements to evaluation and reporting. This is a social work and related services assignment delivered across the United Kingdom.

The buyer invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. The enquiry deadline was 20 November 2026 at 17:00 UTC, and the bid deadline was 2 December 2026 at 17:00 UTC. The contract is due to run from 14 December 2026 to 31 March 2029, with an option for the buyer to extend it by up to six months on the same terms. The estimated value is £125,000 excluding VAT (£150,000 including VAT). The procurement is a single lot and is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Evaluation gives delivery methodology the greatest weight at 50%, followed by relevant skills and experience at 25%, capability at 12.5% and quality assurance at 12.5%.

This opportunity is suited to evaluation consultancies, research organisations and specialist teams with experience assessing public-sector programmes, particularly adult social care or local government improvement work. Strong candidates will be able to design a robust, transparent evaluation methodology and apply it across a multi-year programme, using clear measures to monitor and assess support activity and its impact. The work calls for the ability to evaluate different kinds of support, identify how they can better demonstrate value, and critically review an existing impact framework. Suppliers should also be capable of mapping current information and data gaps and turning findings into practical recommendations for evaluation and reporting. Delivery methodology carries the largest share of the evaluation, so a credible, well-structured approach is especially important.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Partners in Care and Health - External Evaluation of the Continuous Improvement Programme 2026-29

Notice Description

Design and delivery of the evaluation of the Continuous Improvement Programme 2026-29, a grant funded programme commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care to deliver improvement support to councils and systems that provide adult social care services. The project will be delivered over the lifespan of the programme, requiring the design of the evaluation methodology in Year 1 and consequent undertaking of the evaluation in Years 2 and 3. The focus will be on capturing and assessing the value and impact of the programme, in line with contractual requirements specified in the grant funding terms and conditions. In delivery of the External Evaluation project, PCH will require the following objectives to be delivered: Priority Objectives * To develop and implement a robust and transparent evaluation approach and methodology for assessing overall value and impact of support provided through the PCH Continuous Improvement Grant Fund 2026-29. Evaluation methodology will include clear measures to assess, monitor and evaluate PCH improvement support activity. * Identify opportunities to improve how PCH demonstrates value in the delivery of its targeted, intensive and universal support offers, delivered under the Sector Support Requirements: Key Themes workstreams * Using the agreed external evaluation methodology developed for the programme, undertake an evaluation of the impact of the support and offers within the programme. Secondary Objectives * Provide a critical review of the current PCH Impact Management Framework and its approach to demonstrating impact and value - particularly assessing our ability to identify needs/ priorities in the sector and respond accordingly. * This will include a mapping and review of information currently captured and gaps, and Any recommendations for improved evaluation and reporting processes. Further detail will be included within the Specification document located in the Panacea Documents section. To apply, please follow all submission instructions uploaded via the procurement platform Panacea.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The buyer is entitled at its absolute discretion to extend the contract period on the same terms for a further period or periods of up to six months. Please note extension is not bound by geographical location.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-079062
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/101289-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85300000 - Social work and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£125,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£125,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 2026Today
Submission Deadline
2 Dec 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
14 Dec 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
Improvement and Development Agency for Local Government (IDeA)
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 3HZ
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
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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