Social Work Assessed and Supported Year in Employment Con_13495

Concepts

• social work
• asye
• quality of support
• bespoke support
• quality of social work practice
• social work assessed
• social workers
• qualified social workers
• first year of practice
• year

Location

The service is available to local authorities in England

Description

The ASYE programme is an, employer-led, induction programme that incentivises employers to provide bespoke support to their newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) as they transition into frontline practice. It is key to growing confidence amongst NQSWs and therefore influences the quality of support and service provided to vulnerable children and their families.

Total Quantity or Scope

This is a single contract to deliver the funding and support for employers to deliver a comprehensive programme for NQSWs that is effective in providing support in their first year of practice and tailored to meet the needs of participants on the ASYE programme across England. Tue programme provides meaningful engagement with employers and NQSWs to continue to build on programme strengths and further the impact of improving the quality of social work practice and retention of child and family social workers from all backgrounds. The contract requires the development and management of a system to administer payments to employers and associated registration and administration activity as well as allowing employers to register as providers of the ASYE programme. This includes allowing employers to register when individual social workers commence, transfer, withdraw or complete their ASYE. A key objective of the contract will be to establish and build relationships with the sector and effectively communicate the requirements of the ASYE programme including details of how to participate, access funding and the responsibilities of each party. The contract will also identify and support employers to develop, implement and share best practice, including establishing a best practice quality assurance framework for the ASYE programme for employers to quality assure their own provision, and other resources, tools and guidance that support a high-quality ASYE experience for NQSWs. The contractor will be the public face of the ASYE in the sector and should be seen to be leading the drive for effective delivery. Quality assurance and continuous improvement are key.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

This contract will be for an initial period of 2 years with options to be exercisable under the contract to extend the contract for a period or periods up to a further 24 months depending on business needs.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85300000 - Social work and related services

Indicators

• Options are available.

Legal Justification

In response to an open procedure a single irregular tender was submitted. The Department proceeded under Reg 26(4)(b) and Reg 26(5) to apply a negotiated procedure without prior publication as only an irregular tender had been submitted.