Independent decision reviews for the General Optical Council

The General Optical Council (GOC) seeks an external provider to independently review a sample of decisions made in connection with its fitness to practise referrals. The provider will be engaged to provide independent, objective assurance and advice to support the GOC in discharging its duties in relation to protection of the public. This activity will be undertaken on an 18-month cycle with a sample of cases from the previous 12-18 months.

The purpose of the review is to provide the GOC with assurance over the quality, consistency and reasoning of its fitness to practise decisions. This includes how risk, proportionality and public protection are considered and recorded within decisions. Reviews are also intended to monitor compliance with legal, technical and procedural requirements.

The activity undertaken will consider decisions made across our fitness to practise processes. The provider will work closely with our management team to take a risk-based approach to assurance, identifying common themes and areas for scrutiny to ensure that the GOC has a comprehensive view of how its decisions on individual cases contribute to its regulatory and strategic objectives.

The GOC is committed to ensuring the highest standards of governance, assurance and value for money. These statement of requirements is for an independent provider to deliver high-quality services from June 2026 with a view to producing a draft report of the first review by September 2026.

Total value: £140,000 maximum (tenders submitted above this will be automatically discounted)

Contract length: a maximum of six years (delivery of four independent reviews on an 18-month cycle, with the first review commencing summer 2026)

Additional information: the contract will be reviewed after two independent reviews, with parties having an option extend the contract for a further two independent reviews.