Tender: Lot 14: Children’s Social Care Expert Advisers for the DfE ECSC Dynamic Framework

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The Department for Education is seeking suppliers to join Lot 14 of the Educational and Children's Social Care (ECSC) Dynamic Framework to provide a pool of Children’s Social Care Expert Advisers (EAs) who will replace the use of Commissioners and Advisers. EAs will deliver in-depth diagnostics (approximately 40 days) of children’s social care services in failing local authorities, work with DfE regional teams to broker a Children’s Social Care Improvement Team (CIT), and help produce and drive a single Central Improvement Plan approved by an LA-owned Improvement Board; they will support delivery of reforms including the Enduring Relationships Strategy, the Families First Partnership Programme and care reform and will hold Secretary of State powers to direct where set out by a statutory direction or improvement notice. The role also includes ongoing oversight of improvement progress, influencing local system leadership, sharing learning across the community of practice, and working closely with an appointed Lead EA to ensure consistency and professional assurance. The procurement window runs from 16 July 2026 to 14 August 2026, suppliers must have completed the mandatory pre-qualification in the overarching ITT, will undergo rigorous supplier checks, and being placed on the framework does not guarantee call-off contracts; the lot remains subject to the Public Contract Regulations 2015.