Social Work National Professional Development Offer Market Engagement

The Department for Education (DfE) is exploring the development of a national progressional development offer for Child and Family Social Workers and Directors of Children’s Services to strengthen post-qualification support and create clearer career pathways that recognise the specialised skills required for child protection work and leadership. Following a series of 1-2-1 sessions with suppliers in February 2026, DfE is seeking to engage with the market to test the proposed programme design and potential delivery approach for a future Social Work National Professional Development Offer, and to provide a final opportunity to clarify any outstanding queries. Indicative Programme scope: Programme components: • The Early Career Development Programme (ECDP) An enhanced early career offer that would extend support for child and family social workers from one year to two years, underpinned by new professional Standards, which set out the knowledge and skills expected by the end of year two. • Lead Child Protection Practitioner Programme (LCPPP) previously referred to as Advanced Child Protection Programme (ACPP) A proposed 12 month programme for Lead Child Protection Practitioners (LCPP) and those aspiring to the role, focused on acquiring the skills and knowledge needed for effective decision making within multi agency child protection teams • Family Help Management and Supervision Programme (FHMSP) A proposed 26-week programme, with 4 cohorts a year. The Family Help Management and Supervision programme will support the delivery of the Family Help reforms by equipping supervisors and managers working in Family Help teams with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively oversee and support multi-disciplinary teams to deliver an excellent service to the children and families they serve. • Leadership Programme (LP) A proposal of 2 cohorts across the year. The programme will strengthen leadership capability across the system, supporting effective decision making and strong organisational leadership. The programme will focus on addressing the challenges that social work leaders are facing in a post reformed system, equipping them with the right skills to deliver the four outcomes of the national framework. • Directors of Children’s Services Leadership Programme (DCSLP) Support and development for aspirant and new DCSs that strengthens leadership and enables effective delivery. Next Steps and Market Engagement DfE is keen to work with suppliers to help shape the overall approach, including the programme structure, design and delivery models for the development offer. Supplier experience and capability (indicative) To support this engagement, the Department would be interested in feedback from suppliers with experience in: • Delivering large scale professional training or workforce development programmes • Change management and evaluating impact • Designing accessible, inclusive and compliant learning solutions These capability areas are indicative and do not constitute formal selection or evaluation criteria. Feedback from the market will be taken into consideration to help shape the departments proposed scope to ensure that the offer meets the sector’s needs. Important notice This notice: • Does not signify the commencement of a competitive procurement • Does not constitute any commitment by the Department for Education to procure services • Does not create any obligation on the Department • Any funding estimates referenced are indicative only, are subject to DfE and HMT approval. The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final scope or funding envelope of any future contractual activity. Cost estimates and contract length included are indicative and subject to change. DfE anticipates establishing a 5-year open, multi-lot framework with c.£6m in set up and mobilisation costs in 26-27 and .c£15m delivery in 27-28 across the multiple lots, with final details and breakdown to be confirmed. The contract start date provided is indicative, and both the start and end dates will be confirmed in due course. The contract start date provided is indicative, and both the start and end dates will be confirmed in due course.