How to Make Social Care Tenders About People — Not Just Services
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Behind every bid, there’s a story. The question is — are you telling yours?
So many tenders are filled with the same phrases: person-centred, outcome-focused, quality-driven. But what’s missing is your voice, your why, and your values.
💡 What inspired your organisation?
Maybe you started your service because you saw a gap, or worked in care and knew it could be done better. Maybe you’ve walked alongside people who’ve been let down before. That story matters. Not because it’s sentimental — but because it shows why you care.
✅ What commissioners want to see:
- Purpose — What drives your service, and why does it matter?
- Consistency — How do your values show up in daily practice?
- Believability — Do your actions match your words?
🧠 Try this:
In your next tender, replace one generic sentence with something specific. Instead of saying "We value lived experience", write:
“Our founder has direct experience of supporting a sibling with autism, which continues to shape how we recruit, train and listen to our teams.”
✔ Final thought:
Commissioners want more than a service — they want to know who they’re partnering with. Don’t hide your vision behind technical language. Let it come through clearly, and show why you’re the provider that truly gets it.
- Download Tender-Ready Method Statements
- Explore Strategy Document Templates
- Bid Strategy & Training Support
Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers