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...

How to Strengthen Tender Responses on Transitions (Preparing for Adulthood) in 2026

Transitions and Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) are becoming major scoring themes in Supported Living, community support and homecare tenders. Here’s how providers can strengthen their evidence and approach for 2026...

EHCP to Adult Social Care at 18: What Providers Must Understand in 2026

The EHCP-to-adult-care handover remains one of the least understood parts of the LD/autism pathway. Here’s what providers must know to support councils, families and young people effectively.

Why Supported Living Placements Fail in the First 12 Weeks — And How Providers Can Prevent It

Most Supported Living breakdowns happen in the first 12 weeks. This article explains the five root causes — and the practical steps providers can take to stabilise high-risk placements.

The 7 Things Every Provider Must Get Right for LD/Autism Transitions at 18 (2026 Update)

Transitions at 18 remain one of the biggest stress points for families, councils and providers. Here are the seven areas that determine whether an LD/autism transition becomes stable and successful...

The New Fair Cost of Care Tool for Supported Living: What Providers Need to Know in 2026

A clear, practical guide to the new Fair Cost of Care tool for Supported Living — what it means for providers, how commissioners will use it, and how to strengthen...

Why Learning Disability Services Now Dominate Social Care Spend — And What Providers Must Do Next

Learning disability services now account for the largest share of adult social care commissioning spend — and the pressure is only increasing. Here’s why costs are rising, what this means...

Cornwall’s 2023–2024 Day Opportunities Framework: Co-Designed, Flexible and Community-Based

Cornwall’s Day Opportunities framework, launched in 2023 and refreshed in late 2024, is a standout example of co-design, lived experience leadership and flexible, community-based support. From farm-based animal care to...

The Hidden Scoring Bias in MAT: Why ‘Standard’ LD Tender Answers Will Underperform in 2026

Most providers believe they’re ready for MAT — but as commissioners shift fully into Procurement Act 2023 evaluation models for 2026, “standard” Learning Disability tender answers will drop sharply in...

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...

The Specialist Care Framework (Telford & Wrekin, TWC001199): Learning Disability & Complex Care Tender Guide

On 24 November 2025, Borough of Telford & Wrekin published “The Specialist Care Framework” (ref TWC001199), a major framework for specialist care services for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental...

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...

Learning Disability Tenders: How Specialist Bid Writing and Monthly Support Retainers Help You Win (Without Burning Out Your Team)

Learning disability tenders are no longer about basic compliance. Commissioners want PBS, co-production, outcomes and evidence that people’s lives genuinely improve. This blog explores what scoring panels really look for...

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.