Articles

Reframing Social Care: Why Empowering Outcomes Beat Crisis Costing Every Time

Most conversations in adult social care focus on cost, crisis and cuts. But the services that consistently win tenders show something different: empowering outcomes that reduce demand, stabilise risk and...

Why Monthly Bid Support Retainers Make Sense for Social Care Providers in a MAT World

With Procurement Act changes, stop–start pipelines and MAT scoring, monthly bid support retainers can stabilise capacity, protect quality and keep your tenders ahead of the curve.

How Adult Social Care Providers Register for the New Central Supplier Platform (2025–2026 Tenders): Step-by-Step Guide

From early 2025, providers bidding for council, NHS, and ICB-commissioned services will need to register once on the new central supplier registration platform introduced under the Procurement Act 2023. As...

What Commissioners Will Be Looking for in High-Scoring Bids in 2026–2027

With a major recommissioning cycle ahead, councils and ICBs are tightening expectations for adult social care tenders. This guide explains what commissioners will expect from high-scoring bids in 2026–2027 —...

How Commissioners Are Preparing for the 2026–2027 Social Care Recommissioning Cycle

A behind-the-scenes look at how councils and ICBs are preparing for the 2026–2027 adult social care recommissioning cycle — and what providers can do now to align with emerging priorities,...

How to Prepare Your Organisation for the 2026–2027 Social Care Tender Surge

A practical guide for providers on how to prepare for the wave of adult social care tenders expected in 2026–2027 — from bid library readiness to workforce planning, governance, partnerships...

How to Read a Social Care Tender Pipeline Strategically (2026–2029)

A practical guide for adult social care providers on how to use tender pipelines strategically – to prioritise regions, time resourcing, and prepare for the 2026–2029 recommissioning wave.

Why So Many Adult Social Care Tenders Are Coming in 2026–2027 (and How to Prepare Now)

Many adult social care frameworks were let before or during Covid and then extended multiple times. Now, with the Procurement Act and delayed recommissioning cycles converging, 2026–2027 is shaping up...

Planning Your Social Care Growth Strategy for 2026–2029

With major Social Care and NHS frameworks due between 2026–2029, providers are starting to plan ahead. Here’s how to align growth plans, workforce strategy and tender readiness with upcoming commissioning...

5 Things Commissioners Wish Providers Understood About Social Care Tenders

Commissioners read dozens of social care tenders each year. This article shares five things they consistently wish providers understood – from clear delivery models and evidence of outcomes to realistic...

Kirklees Home Support Service Framework (KMCAS-220): Eligibility Requirements & Tender Guide

Kirklees Council has launched the major Home Support Service Framework (KMCAS-220), covering domiciliary care across eight localities. This blog summarises the opportunity, the tender requirements, and—critically—the two eligibility rules: providers...

Staying Employed: In-Work Support, Reviews & Progression

Getting the job is just the start. This blog explores in-work support, reviews, and progression strategies that sustain employment long-term.

Measuring Outcomes that Matter in Supported Employment

Supported employment is only as strong as the outcomes it delivers. Learn what to measure, how to evidence impact, and what commissioners want to see.

Effective Job Coaching: Natural Supports & Fading Plans

Job coaching isn’t about permanent support — it’s about enabling independence. Learn how natural supports and fading plans make employment sustainable.

Building Employer Partnerships that Last in Supported Employment

Employer partnerships are essential to sustainable supported employment. This blog explains how to build relationships that work for people and employers.

Person-Led Vocational Profiling: Turning Strengths into Job Matches

Vocational profiling is the foundation of supported employment. This blog explains how to turn strengths into sustainable job matches that commissioners value.

Supported Employment, Done Well: From Aspirations to Real Jobs

Supported employment is key to independence and inclusion for people with learning disabilities. This blog shows how to evidence credible pathways, employer engagement, and measurable outcomes in tenders.

Why Competitor Analysis Is Now Essential for Social Care Tenders — And How Providers Can Use It to Win More Contracts

Under the Procurement Act 2023, commissioners compare your bid directly against competing providers — not just against the specification. This long-form guide explains why structured competitor analysis is now essential...

Domiciliary Care Tenders: How Specialist Bid Writing (and Monthly Retainers) Help You Win in a Tougher Market

Domiciliary care tenders are becoming more competitive — with tighter scoring guides, higher expectations and increased scrutiny under CQC and outcomes-led commissioning. This comprehensive guide explains how specialist bid writing...

Workforce Development & Retention in Social Care — A Complete 7-Part Guide

A 7-part blog series exploring recruitment, induction, supervision, wellbeing, workforce planning, and how to evidence workforce strength in tenders and inspections.

Embedding Workforce Strength in Tenders and Inspections

Commissioners and the CQC want to see strong, resilient workforces. This blog shows how to evidence workforce development and retention for maximum impact.

Workforce Planning and Contingency Cover

Safe staffing doesn’t happen by accident — it takes planning, foresight, and strong contingency cover. This blog explores how providers can keep services running.

Staff Wellbeing and Support: Preventing Burnout

Staff wellbeing isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s central to retention and safe, consistent care. This blog explores how social care providers can prevent burnout.

Supervision, Appraisal, and Professional Development

Supervision, appraisal, and professional development are key drivers of staff retention in social care. This blog explores how to embed them for stronger outcomes.

Onboarding and Induction: Setting Staff Up to Stay

The first 90 days determine whether new staff stay or leave. This blog explores how structured onboarding and induction improve retention in social care.

Why Workforce Development & Retention Matters in Social Care

Workforce development and retention are the backbone of social care. This blog explores why staff stability matters for quality, safety, tenders, and inspections.

Recruitment Pipelines and Growing Your Workforce

Strong recruitment pipelines are the foundation of workforce stability in social care. This blog explores how to attract, develop, and retain the right staff.

Person-Centred Planning in Social Care — A Complete 7-Part Guide

Explore our 7-part blog series on person-centred planning in social care. Learn how to move beyond templates to meaningful conversations that shape outcomes and strengthen tender responses.

How to Make Your Domiciliary Care Tender Stand Out

Want to win more domiciliary care tenders? Here’s how to stand out from the competition — without overpromising or inflating your offer.

How to Show Added Value in Domiciliary Care Tenders

Price matters — but so does added value. Here’s how to highlight what makes your domiciliary care service worth commissioning.