Step Up To Social Work Cohort 10 Emerging Talent Contractor

The Department for Education (DfE) is seeking a contractor to manage the application and assessment process for Step Up to Social Work (SUSW) Cohort 10. Step Up to Social Work is a long-established, local authority-led postgraduate training programme that provides an accelerated, practice-focused route into the social work profession.

The programme has operated since 2010 and has trained approximately 3,500 social workers across eight completed cohorts. Cohort 9 commenced in January 2026 with 640 students and is due to conclude in March 2027. The successful contractor will support the recruitment process for Cohort 10 through the delivery of marketing, digital application systems, applicant assessments and candidate engagement.

The appointed provider will be responsible for developing a national marketing plan, creating and hosting an online application portal, managing applicant registrations and assessments, operating candidate support services, conducting eligibility checks, supporting regional assessment centres, providing management information, and delivering customer satisfaction research. The platform must be capable of managing at least 5,000 applications.

The opportunity is identified as being particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). The Department has confirmed that all procurement communications must be submitted through the Jaggaer portal.

Contract Information

Buyer: Department for Education

Deadline: 6 August 2026, 12:00pm

Contract Value: £458,333 excluding VAT

Delivery Length: 1 October 2026 to 29 February 2028, with the option to extend for up to two additional cohorts

Tender Link: Click here

Evaluation Criteria

The procurement will be evaluated using:

• Q1 – Attraction Strategy, Marketing Delivery and Inclusive Recruitment – 15%
• Q2 – Recruitment and Assessment Process – 10%
• Q3 – Digital Development and Partnerships – 20%
• Q4 – Working with Regional Partnerships and the Department for Education – 25%
• Q5 – Candidate Support – 20%
• Q6 – Social Value – 10%

The Selection Questionnaire will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Award will be based on 100% quality, with pricing evaluated using a Price per Quality Point methodology.

This procurement offers specialist recruitment, digital platform and workforce delivery organisations the opportunity to support one of the Department for Education’s established social work training programmes, helping to recruit and assess future social workers through a nationally coordinated application and assessment process.

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