Common Mistakes in Home Care Tender Writing (And How to Avoid Them)
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Writing a winning home care tender is challenging — and small mistakes can cost big points. We’ve supported providers across the UK to strengthen their bids and avoid the pitfalls that lead to lower scores. Our specialist home care bid writing support helps you get it right first time.
❌ Common Mistake 1: Restating the Specification
Commissioners already know what they’ve asked for — simply repeating their words without explaining how you’ll deliver adds no value. You need to translate the specification into a delivery plan that’s tailored to your service and community.
❌ Common Mistake 2: Lack of Evidence
Bold claims like “we provide high-quality care” won’t score without proof. Evidence can include CQC ratings, satisfaction surveys, outcome data, or case studies showing the difference you’ve made.
❌ Common Mistake 3: Weak Workforce Plans
In home care tenders, workforce continuity, recruitment, and retention are high-risk areas for commissioners. Failing to address these with specific strategies — backed by data — is a common reason bids are marked down.
❌ Common Mistake 4: Missing the Social Value Opportunity
Social value often carries a weighting of 10% or more. Many providers treat it as an afterthought, but it’s a chance to show commissioners how your service benefits the wider community beyond core care hours.
✅ How to Avoid These Mistakes
- Use the commissioner’s priorities as your guide — not just the question wording
- Back up every claim with a specific example or statistic
- Show how you’ll recruit, train, and retain staff — especially in a competitive labour market
- Weave social value into multiple sections, not just the social value question
Winning home care tenders requires clarity, evidence, and a strategic approach to storytelling. By avoiding these mistakes, you put your bid in a stronger position to stand out from the competition.