Decision details

Step Up To Social Work Programme Procurement Strategy

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children and Education (expired July 2024)

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The Step Up to Social Work Programme is a fully funded training programme for social workers. We are seeking approval for the contract award following a competitive procurement exercise.

Decision:

The Cabinet Member for Children and Education approves:

 

1.    The procurement strategy to recommission a new Step Up to Social Work Programme contract for a duration of two years with the option to extend twice, for an additional two years per extension period. The contract value will be £1,400,000 every 2 years, bringing the total contract value after extension to £4,200,000.The contract will only continue based on satisfactory performance by the Provider and continued funding from the Department for Education (DFE).

 

Reasons for the decision:

The current contract expires in June 2023 and there is no option to extend. There is now a need to go back out to the market to undertake a competitive tender process, in line with Contract Standing Order 19.1, to ensure there is a high quality, value for money contract in place to deliver this programme.

 

Alternative options considered:

Option 1 – Let provision of a Step-up to Social Work programme end in June 2023 and do not renew  (Not recommended)

 

Option 2 – Let the current services continue under current arrangements and recommission the contract (Recommended)

 

Publication date: 16/02/2023

Date of decision: 13/02/2023

Effective from: 22/02/2023

Accompanying Documents: