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Contract Notice

Cultural Competence Support Programme

  • First published: 20 August 2026
  • Last modified: 20 August 2026
  • Version: N/A
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Contents

Summary

OCID:
ocds-kuma6s-169419
Published by:
Social Care Wales
Authority ID:
AA0289
Publication date:
20 August 2026
Deadline date:
18 September 2026
Notice type:
Contract Notice
Has documents:
Yes
Has SPD:
No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:
No

Abstract

Introduction The Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan recognises that there will be occasions where it is necessary to refer to the collective experience of racism. The Plan uses the terminology “Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic” alongside the shorter form “ethnic minority”. In line with the Plan, reference should be made to “people” rather than “communities” wherever possible. Social Care Wales recognises that experiences of racism affect a wide range of groups, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and people affected by antisemitism and Islamophobia. Cultural competence should therefore support organisations to understand and respond appropriately to the experiences of all people affected by racism. During the development phase of the progression programme, organisational culture and cultural competence were identified as significant barriers to career progression. Therefore, all participating organisations will be required to commit to improving cultural competency as part of their involvement in the programme. The wider aims of the progression programme are to: - Support people to recognise and develop their leadership potential; - Increase visibility of leadership pathways within social care in Wales; - Develop understanding of effective and inclusive leadership; - Provide opportunities to gain practical leadership experience. This commission specifically addresses a key systemic barrier identified during the development phase: Wider system and sector attitudes and processes need to change to support colleagues effectively. Evidence gathered through focus groups within the initial pilot highlighted that progression is strongly influenced by organisational culture. Participants described a lack of trust in organisations and the wider sector, often arising from experiences of systemic barriers that had not been adequately addressed. Some participants also expressed concerns that raising issues related to race and equality could have negative consequences for their careers. This project seeks to support organisations to take practical and meaningful steps towards creating psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces in which all staff can thrive and progress. Aims and objectives The objectives of this commission are to: - Strengthen organisational leadership commitment to anti-racist and inclusive practice; - Support participating organisations to improve cultural competence and progression equity; - Provide all sites with access to practical tools and support to enable organisations to identify and address systemic barriers to progression, generate early insight, test engagement approaches; - Promote psychologically safe, inclusive working environments where staff feel valued, heard and supported. - Establish a sustainable foundation for future organisational development, with the flexibility to evolve should further investment become available. What is required / ‘The Requirements’ This cultural competence programme will operate alongside the leadership programme delivered by the Institute of Public Care (IPC). IPC will be responsible for recruiting and supporting participating organisations within the wider progression programme and will work closely with the successful supplier to support engagement, coordination and escalation of any issues requiring additional support. The successful supplier will deliver a tailored cultural competence programme to all organisations participating in Social Care Wales' progression programme for social care staff from ethnic minority backgrounds. The supplier will work with participating organisations to strengthen cultural competence, support inclusive leadership practices and help identify actions that promote equitable progression and psychologically safe working environments. Please see Specification for more detail

Full notice text

CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

SERVICES

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address


Social Care Wales

South Gate House, Wood Street,

Cardiff

CF10 1EW

UK

Procurement Team

+44 3003033444


http://www.socialcare.wales
http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales
http://www.sell2wales.gov.wales

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained


Social Care Wales




UK




http://www.socialcare.wales

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:


Social Care Wales




UK




http://www.socialcare.wales

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Cultural Competence Support Programme

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

Introduction

The Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan recognises that there will be occasions where it is necessary to refer to the collective experience of racism. The Plan uses the terminology “Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic” alongside the shorter form “ethnic minority”. In line with the Plan, reference should be made to “people” rather than “communities” wherever possible.

Social Care Wales recognises that experiences of racism affect a wide range of groups, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, and people affected by antisemitism and Islamophobia. Cultural competence should therefore support organisations to understand and respond appropriately to the experiences of all people affected by racism.

During the development phase of the progression programme, organisational culture and cultural competence were identified as significant barriers to career progression. Therefore, all participating organisations will be required to commit to improving cultural competency as part of their involvement in the programme.

The wider aims of the progression programme are to:

- Support people to recognise and develop their leadership potential;

- Increase visibility of leadership pathways within social care in Wales;

- Develop understanding of effective and inclusive leadership;

- Provide opportunities to gain practical leadership experience.

This commission specifically addresses a key systemic barrier identified during the development phase: Wider system and sector attitudes and processes need to change to support colleagues effectively.

Evidence gathered through focus groups within the initial pilot highlighted that progression is strongly influenced by organisational culture. Participants described a lack of trust in organisations and the wider sector, often arising from experiences of systemic barriers that had not been adequately addressed. Some participants also expressed concerns that raising issues related to race and equality could have negative consequences for their careers.

This project seeks to support organisations to take practical and meaningful steps towards creating psychologically safe, inclusive workplaces in which all staff can thrive and progress.

Aims and objectives

The objectives of this commission are to:

- Strengthen organisational leadership commitment to anti-racist and inclusive practice;

- Support participating organisations to improve cultural competence and progression equity;

- Provide all sites with access to practical tools and support to enable organisations to identify and address systemic barriers to progression, generate early insight, test engagement approaches;

- Promote psychologically safe, inclusive working environments where staff feel valued, heard and supported.

- Establish a sustainable foundation for future organisational development, with the flexibility to evolve should further investment become available.

What is required / ‘The Requirements’

This cultural competence programme will operate alongside the leadership programme delivered by the Institute of Public Care (IPC). IPC will be responsible for recruiting and supporting participating organisations within the wider progression programme and will work closely with the successful supplier to support engagement, coordination and escalation of any issues requiring additional support.

The successful supplier will deliver a tailored cultural competence programme to all organisations participating in Social Care Wales' progression programme for social care staff from ethnic minority backgrounds.

The supplier will work with participating organisations to strengthen cultural competence, support inclusive leadership practices and help identify actions that promote equitable progression and psychologically safe working environments.

Please see Specification for more detail

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=169419.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

80510000 Specialist training services
80511000 Staff training services
80521000 Training programme services
80532000 Management training services
80570000 Personal development training services
85000000 Health and social work services
1000 WALES
1010 West Wales and The Valleys
1011 Isle of Anglesey
1012 Gwynedd
1013 Conwy and Denbighshire
1014 South West Wales (Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion)
1015 Central Valleys (Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf)
1016 Gwent Valleys (Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly)
1017 Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot
1018 Swansea
1020 East Wales
1021 Monmouthshire and Newport
1022 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
1023 Flintshire and Wrexham
1024 Powys

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

Budget

A budget of £1,000 per participating site (inclusive of any applicable VAT) has been allocated for this contract.

The final contract value will depend on the number of organisations that sign up to participate in the programme. As recruitment of pilot sites will take place after contract award, the exact number of participating organisations will not be confirmed until November 2026.

It is anticipated that between 1 and 9 organisations will participate, resulting in a total contract value ranging from £1,000 to £9,000 (inclusive of any applicable VAT). Contract value will therefore be based on the actual number of organisations recruited to and participating in the programme.

The Supplier will provide full financial breakdown of the costs associated with the project for consideration through the evaluation process.

Prices must be quoted in pounds sterling and clearly state if VAT will or will not be charged.

Length of contract

The contract will run from 1 November 2026 - 31 March 2027.

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

(a) Digital Requirements

The supplier must:

- Be able to deliver online sessions using Microsoft Teams.

- Ensure that all information provided by Social Care Wales is handled securely and appropriately throughout the duration of the contract.

- Provide all outputs and deliverables in accessible digital formats agreed with Social Care Wales, including Microsoft Word, PDF and Microsoft Excel where applicable.

- Comply with all applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

- Hold Cyber Essentials certification throughout the duration of the contract.

(b) Bilingual Requirements

The supplier must be able to deliver the programme through the medium of Welsh on request.

The supplier may meet this requirement through in-house bilingual capacity or by using appropriately qualified subcontractors. Where subcontractors are proposed, their role and arrangements for Welsh language delivery must be clearly set out within the proposal.

All participant-facing materials, resources, handouts, templates and supporting documentation produced as part of the programme must be available bilingually in Welsh and English.

Any translation, interpretation or Welsh language delivery costs associated with the commission must be included within the submitted financial response.

c) Accessibility Requirements

The supplier must ensure that all aspects of the programme are accessible and inclusive for participants and organisations with a range of needs.

This includes:

- Considering accessibility requirements when designing and delivering workshops, support sessions and digital resources.

- Providing learning materials in accessible formats where required.

- Ensuring virtual delivery methods support participation by individuals with different access needs.

- Making reasonable adjustments to enable full participation in programme activities.

- Creating learning environments that are inclusive, respectful and psychologically safe for all participants.

Suppliers should outline within their proposal how accessibility and inclusion will be embedded throughout programme delivery.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

Time-limit for receipt of completed tenders
    18-09-2026  Time  12:00

Estimated award date
 28-09-2026

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

EN  CY 

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

(WA Ref:169419)

The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia bidding.

5.2

Additional Documentation

Cais am Ddyfynbris - Rhaglen Cymorth Cymhwysedd Diwylliannol
Request for Quote - Cultural Competence Scheme 2026
Atodiad 1 -Taflen Glawr Tendr
Appendix 1 - Tender Cover Sheet
Atodiad 2 - Dogfen Ymateb Ansawdd
Appendix 2 – Technical Quality Response Document
Atodiad 3 - Dogfen Ymateb Ariannol
Appendix 3 – Financial and Pricing Response Document
Atodiad 4 - Canllaw ein llais Gofal Cymdeithasol Cymru
Appendix 4 – Social Care Wales’s tone of voice guidelines
Atodiad 5 - Canllawiau brand Gofal Cymdeithasol Cymru
Appendix 5 – Social Care Wales’s branding guidelines
Social Care Wales - Terms and Conditions

5.3

Publication date of this notice

 20-08-2026

Coding

Commodity categories

ID Title Parent category
85000000 Health and social work services Other Services
80532000 Management training services Vocational training services
80570000 Personal development training services Training services
80510000 Specialist training services Training services
80511000 Staff training services Specialist training services
80521000 Training programme services Training facilities

Delivery locations

ID Description
1017 Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot
1022 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
1015 Central Valleys (Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf)
1013 Conwy and Denbighshire
1020 East Wales
1023 Flintshire and Wrexham
1016 Gwent Valleys (Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly)
1012 Gwynedd
1011 Isle of Anglesey
1021 Monmouthshire and Newport
1024 Powys
1014 South West Wales (Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion)
1018 Swansea
1000 WALES
1010 West Wales and The Valleys

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:
N/a
Admin contact:
N/a
Technical contact:
N/a
Other contact:
N/a

Further information

Date Details
No further information has been uploaded.

Postbox

The awarding buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Tender Submission Postbox facility.

Submit your tender response electronically in a secure environment.

To create an electronic response please click the "Add to my interest list" button at the top of the page.

For more information on the Postbox Facility please refer to the user guide:

Q&A

Ask the buyer any questions you may have relating to this notice. To ask the buyer a question or questions please click the "View Questions and Answers" button.

Additional documents

The following additional documents have been attached to this notice. To obtain these documents please select the individual file names below.

Current documents

Documents are restricted until you note interest in this notice. The documents will become publicly available after the response deadline has passed.

There are no documents attached to this document

Replaced documents

There are no previous versions of these documents.


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