Tender: DfE Contractor to Manage Applications and Assessments for Step Up to Social Work Cohort 10

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The Department for Education is seeking a supplier to manage the application and assessment process for Cohort 10 of the Step Up to Social Work (SUSW) programme. The contract includes developing a marketing plan and branded materials aligned with national and Regional Partnership communications; designing, hosting and managing a web portal to register interest, provide programme information, accept and process applications, run an online written assessment, and enable applicants to book assessment centre and support-session slots with capacity for at least 5,000 applications; working with DfE and Regional Partnerships on web content; operating a phone and email helpline for applicants during the application and assessment window (Feb 2027–Nov 2027); conducting eligibility checks (mostly automated) including non-UK qualification equivalency and verification of eligibility to live and work in the UK using Home Office “share-code”; allowing Regional Partnerships appropriate access with at least 30% concurrent users; developing an applicant tracking system and booking process to manage candidates through the recruitment workflow; hosting timed written exercises; providing staff support at assessment centres; creating candidate communications and engagement plans including managing the National Reserve List and notifying candidates of outcomes; supplying ongoing management information; and conducting customer research measuring satisfaction among applicants and Regional Partnerships. The programme is an established, accelerated, practice-focused route into social work, running every two years since 2010, with eight completed cohorts and Cohort 9 (640 students) running Jan 2026–Mar 2027. The DfE is keen to maximise opportunities for SMEs and VCSEs and will consider consortia and collaborative bids.