Procurement description
The Department for Education (DfE) has awarded Call-Off Contracts under the Social Work National Professional Development Offer Framework for the design, development and delivery of a national learning and development offer for Child and Family Social Workers in England.
The services support the professional development of qualified child and family social workers and provide structured career pathways aligned to the specialist knowledge and skills required to improve outcomes for children and families. Delivery will be supported through a digital platform to enable flexible access, consistency of provision and scalability across the workforce.
The Call-Off Contracts cover the following programmes:
Lot 1: Early Career Development Programme (ECDP), Family Help Team Manager Programme (FHTMP) and Lead Child Protection Practitioner Programme (LCPPP). These programmes focus on developing practice and management capability across key workforce roles.
Lot 2: Leadership Programme (LP) and Director of Children's Services Leadership Programme (DCSLP). These programmes focus on strengthening leadership capability at senior levels.
Estimated participant volumes are approximately 2,800 participants per year for ECDP, up to 500 participants across four cohorts for FHTMP, up to 500 participants per year for LCPPP, up to 130 participants per year for LP (65 in-post and 65 aspirant participants), and all new and interim Directors of Children's Services together with a minimum of 20 aspirant participants for DCSLP. Participant volumes are indicative only and are subject to demand during the contract period.
The appointed suppliers are responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the services, including programme design, development of learning content, delivery of training, digital hosting, user experience, and the provision of supporting resources and materials.
Call-Off Order 1: Mobilisation and Implementation Services are awarded as follows:
Lot 1 Call-Off Order 1: Mobilisation and Implementation Services was awarded to The Frontline Organisation with a contract value of £1,494,560 excluding VAT for the period 2 November 2026 to 31 August 2027.
Lot 2 Call-Off Order 1: Mobilisation and Implementation Services was awarded to VSC Plus Limited with a contract value of £546,545 excluding VAT for the period 2 November 2026 to 31 August 2027.
Lot 2 Call-Off Order 1: Mobilisation and Implementation Services was also awarded to The Frontline Organisation with a contract value of £738,873 excluding VAT for the period 2 November 2026 to 31 August 2027.