---
title: "Soft Market Testing exercise- Step Up to Social Work programme"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c988"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c988"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c988.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c988.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "WIRRAL COUNCIL"
published: "2026-07-13"
---

# Soft Market Testing exercise- Step Up to Social Work programme

Buyer: WIRRAL COUNCIL  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c988

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c988.json)

## Summary

Wirral Council is initiating a procurement process for their "Step Up to Social Work" programme aimed at delivering a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work through partnerships with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This procurement, under the category of services and specifically within higher education services (CPV code: 80300000), is currently in the planning stage. The relevant geographical focus is region UKD74 in the United Kingdom. As part of the preliminary market engagement, Wirral Council has scheduled a soft market testing exercise via a questionnaire to be completed on the Chest portal, with a response deadline set for 12 Noon on 3rd August 2026.

This tender provides significant opportunities for HEIs with capabilities in delivering postgraduate social work courses to expand their offerings and participate in a national programme. The contracting process offers a collaborative platform for educational institutions to align with government objectives in higher education and social work training, potentially increasing their market presence. Institutions with experience in delivering accredited social work qualifications and those looking to solidify or expand their presence in social work education within the public sector would be well-suited to compete in this tender process. The procurement's light touch regime indicates a focus on flexible and innovation-driven submissions, encouraging interested parties to prepare proposals that stand out in terms of both approach and value.

## Notice

Wirral Council is seeking to engage with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with the capability and capacity to deliver a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work as part of the national Step Up to Social Work programme.

### Planning Information

Questionnaire to be completed on the Chest portal:
https://procontract.due-north.com/register
Title- Soft Market Testing exercise- Step Up to Social Work programme
Project reference- DN822089 
Questions to be raised via the Chest portal
Closing date for responses 12 Noon on Monday 3rd August 2026
If you experience any technical difficulties registering or using The Chest, please contact support:
Email: procontractsuppliers@proactis.com

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065607-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 12 Oct 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | WIRRAL COUNCIL |
| Locality | WALLASEY |
| Post town | Chester |
| Postcode | CH44 8ED |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD7 Merseyside |
| ITL 3 | TLD74 Wirral |
| Local authority | Wirral |
| Electoral ward | Seacombe |
| Westminster constituency | Wallasey |
| Delivery location | TLD74 Wirral |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80300000 - Higher education services

## Release History

- 13 Jul 2026 at 12:29 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065607-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065607-2026
  13th July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://procontract.due-north.com/register
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c988. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c988.json.