The National Fast Track Child and Family Social Work Training Programme

Concepts

• national fast track child and family social work training programme
• adult education
• social work education programme
• national fast track child
• family social work training programme
• social work
• fast track child
• social workers
• front line child protection
• pipeline of high-quality social workers

Location

London

Description

The Authority wishes to procure a supplier to design and deliver a high quality, specialised, fast track child and family social work education programme with the objective of enhancing the knowledge and skills most needed in front line child protection social work, and providing a pipeline of high-quality social workers across English Local Authorities (“LA").

Total Quantity or Scope

The Authority is procuring the Services using a light touch procedure which is based on the competitive procedure with negotiation. Potential Suppliers must submit their Initial Tenders with their SSQ responses. Full instructions in relation to the preparation and submission of SSQs and Initial and Final Tenders are set out in the Volume 1 (SSQ and SSQ Instructions for Potential Suppliers) and Volume 2 (ITPN) of the Procurement Documents.

Renewal Options

Up to a maximum of 2 cohorts based on a cohort by cohort basis.

CPV Codes

• 80400000 - Adult and other education services
• 75100000 - Administration services
• 79340000 - Advertising and marketing services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 80300000 - Higher education services
• 85300000 - Social work and related services

Indicators

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• Renewals are available.
• Performance considerations apply.
• Staff qualifications are relevant.
• Award on basis of price and quality.

Other Information

The successful Contractor will be responsible for the recruitment, training and support of Participants to enable them to become effective and specialised child and family social workers. This is in furtherance of the Government’s aim to ensure that there is a highly capable social worker for every child and family in England who needs one. The Programme will commence on or around 1 September 2023 and last for an initial period of up to 3 cohorts, lasting up to a maximum of 5 years each, with the first cohort of participants qualifying between September 2025 and Aug 2026 and each cohort running concurrently. The option to extend by up to 2 additional cohorts will be solely at the Authority’s discretion and will be subject to satisfactory Contractor performance, Ministerial approval, and the availability of funding N/A The Services that are the subject of this procurement are captured by PCR 2015 Chapter 3, Section 7 (Social and Other Specific Services); the so called “Light Touch Regime. The Authority is procuring this requirement using the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation (“CPN”) as set out in Regulation 29 but with amendments. A CPN would usually be conducted by way Potential Suppliers submitting an SSQ. Following the evaluation of those SSQs, shortlisted Potential Suppliers would be invited to submit their Initial Tender, and these would be evaluated prior to negotiation commencing. Whilst the Authority intends to conduct this procurement process in accordance with those principles, in the sequencing in which it will undertake evaluation of SSQs and thereafter Initial Tenders, Potential Suppliers should note that, in this instance, they will be required to submit their Initial Tender with their SSQ Response and by the same deadline. The Authority intends to run a Potential Supplier Event in the week commencing 6 June 2023 to provide further clarity on the requirements of the Contract. Details of how to register for this event can be found @ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dfe-fast-track-to-social-work-procurement-launch-... In addition to this event the Authority also intends to run further event(s) in the week commencing 13 June 2023. The additional event(s) will be offered to provide Potential Suppliers with: Greater clarity on the design of the Pricing Schedule and on how to complete it to the required standard. Details of how to register for this event can be found @ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dfe-ftsw-capability-session-pricing-schedule-tick... An understanding of what to expect when negotiating with a Public Sector body and advice on how to approach responding to the technical requirements of a Public Sector tender to maximise your opportunity of success. Details of how to register for this event can be found @ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dfe-ftsw-capability-session-negotiation-and-techn... Potential Suppliers are referred to the Procurement Documents accompanying this Contract Notice for additional information on this procurement and in relation to this Contract Notice. Tenders and all supporting documentation for the Contract must be in English and priced in sterling. The Authority will not be liable for any bid costs, expenditure, work or effort incurred by a Potential Supplier in proceeding or participating in this procurement, including if the procurement process is terminated or amended by the Authority. The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulation 2006 may apply to these Services. Potential Suppliers should refer to paragraph 10 of Volume 2 (ITPN) for further information. The Authority reserves the right to withdraw from or discontinue the procurement process, which shall include the right to not award the Contract as a result of this call for competition. HM Government requires that contracts awarded by Government Departments with a value exceeding 10000 GBP are published online (http://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder). The Authority may use its discretion to redact information to protect key commercial interests or on prescribed grounds (see Volume 1 (SSQ Instructions for Potential Suppliers) in the Procurement Documents).