For the provision of a Higher Education Institution to deliver the Step Up to Social Work Programme for the East Midlands Regional Partnership (Cohorts 10 and 11)
Derby City Council is procuring a single Higher Education Institution to deliver the Department for Education-funded Step Up to Social Work Programme for the East Midlands Regional Partnership, covering Cohorts 10 and 11 from March 2027. The programme will recruit and train high-calibre candidates with at least a 2:2 degree and experience working with vulnerable children, young people or adults, preparing them for social work roles in children’s statutory services. The contract will serve Derby City Council and partner authorities and bodies across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland, including the relevant city and county councils and Northamptonshire Children’s Trust. The procurement details do not state an estimated contract value or contract duration beyond provision for up to two cohorts. The critical eligibility requirement is that the bidder must be a Higher Education Institution capable of delivering the Step Up to Social Work programme.
Buyer: Derby City Council. Source: Find a Tender. Updated 24 Sept 2026.
Key facts
- Estimated value: £3.6m
- Bids close: 23 Oct 2026
- Location: Derby
- Procedure: Open procedure
- Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 to 31 Jul 2029
- Category: Higher education services (80300000)
From the official notice
Derby City Council (the Council) is undertaking this procurement to establish a contract for the provision of a single Higher Education Institution to deliver the Step Up to Social Work Programme for the East Midlands Regional Partnership (EMRP) for up to two cohorts (Cohorts 10 and 11) beginning March 2027. We will be procuring this contract for all Authorities/Bodies in the EMPR, which currently consists of: • Derby City Council - Lead Authority • Northamptonshire Children's Trust • Nottinghamshire County Council • Nottingham City Council • Leicester City Council • Leicestershire County Council • Derbyshire County Council • Lincolnshire County Council • Rutland County Council The Step up to Social Work programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) with the intention of raising the standard of social workers who work in children's statutory services. The programme recruits high calibre candidates who have a 2:2 degree and who already have experience of working with vulnerable children, young people or adults who want to train as social workers. The procurement process adopted by the Council is based on the 'Open' tendering procedure as detailed in the Procurement Act 2023 (the "Act") and the Procurement Regulations 2024 (the "Regulations") but with the added flexibility offered by Light Touch Regime (Section 9 and Schedule 1 of the Procurement Regulations 2024) and any subsequent amendment or re-enactment thereof. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is underway...
View the official notice
Questions about this tender
When is the deadline?
Bids close on 23 Oct 2026.
What is it worth?
The estimated value is £3.6m.
Who can apply?
Any supplier that meets the buyer's requirements can apply. Check the official notice for conditions.
How do I bid?
Open the official notice, register on the buyer's portal and submit your bid before the deadline.
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