Social Work England has published a procurement opportunity for perceptions of practice placements on social work courses with an estimated value of £41,666. The submission deadline is 6 May 2026, giving eligible UK suppliers a limited window to prepare and submit bids through the official Find a Tender portal.

Published on 2026-04-10, this contract is open to suitably qualified suppliers across the United Kingdom. All businesses interested in bidding should review the full tender documentation and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before the closing date.

Contract overview

Social Work England is commissioning independent research to strengthen its understanding of practice‑based learning across qualifying routes into social work in England. This work supports Social Work England's role as the regulator of social work education and training, and will inform future regulatory standards, guidance and quality assurance activity. The requirement is for the design and delivery of a mixed‑methods research study exploring perceptions and experiences of practice‑based learning, including statutory and non‑statutory placements. The research will examine issues of placement quality, placement sufficiency and variation across regions, qualifying routes and workforce contexts. The supplier will be expected to engage with a range of stakeholders, which may include education providers, employers, practice educators, placement providers and newly qualified social workers. Research activity is likely to include a combination of desk‑based review and primary research methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups and/or case studies. Key outputs will include a midpoint findings presentation, a final written report suitable for publication, and a final presentation of findings. The supplier must ensure proportionate but robust research governance, inclusive methods, and compliance with ethical standards and UK GDPR. The contract is expected to commence on 19 June 2026 and conclude by 19 December 2026. The estimated value of the contract is £50,000. Full technical requirements are set out in the specification.

Social Work England is the contracting authority. The estimated value is £41,666 and the deadline is 6 May 2026. Download the full specification from the official portal before preparing a bid.

Is your business eligible?

This contract is most relevant to training providers, educational organisations, e-learning companies. Suppliers typically need to demonstrate experience delivering similar contracts, appropriate financial standing, and hold Ofsted registration, relevant accreditations.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, Social Work England must actively consider SME participation. Check whether this contract has been structured into lots.

• Proven track record in education & training contracts of comparable scope
• Financial standing appropriate for a £41,666 contract
• Relevant certifications: Ofsted registration, relevant accreditations
• Capacity to mobilise within Social Work England’s required timeframe
• Ability to meet the 6 May 2026 submission deadline

How to submit a bid

• Step 1 — Access the notice: Visit Find a Tender at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032722-2026
• Step 2 — Register free: Create or log in to your supplier account
• Step 3 — Download documents: Read the full ITT before preparing your response
• Step 4 — Raise clarifications: Submit questions early — Q&A typically closes 1–2 weeks before the deadline
• Step 5 — Submit before 6 May 2026: Late submissions are not accepted

What the buyer will evaluate

Social Work England will assess all compliant bids against published criteria. Buyers typically apply a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. Under the Procurement Act 2023, social value is a mandatory evaluation criterion.

Writing a winning bid

• Lead with an executive summary addressing Social Work England’s objectives directly
• Provide two or more case studies with measurable outcomes from comparable contracts
• Include specific, costed social value commitments
• Price to win but ensure your margin covers full delivery
• Submit at least 24 hours before 6 May 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can SMEs bid for this contract?

Yes. The Procurement Act 2023 requires Social Work England to consider SME suitability and remove unnecessary barriers.

Is registration on the portal free?

Yes. Registering as a supplier on Find a Tender is completely free.

What happens if I miss the 6 May 2026 deadline?

Late submissions are not accepted. The deadline is absolute. Submit at least 24 hours early.

Where are the full tender documents?

All documents are on the official Find a Tender listing at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032722-2026.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify all details on the official procurement portal before submitting a bid. Kael Tripton is not affiliated with or endorsed by Social Work England or the UK government.