Articles

The New Rules of Social Care Tender Evidence in 2026

Commissioners are tightening expectations around evidence in 2026 tenders — focusing on outcomes, consistency, impact, and real-world delivery. This guide explains what will change, the evidence providers need, and how...

The 2026 Commissioning Reset: What Providers Must Do Differently to Win Tenders Next Year

As the Procurement Act beds in and councils prepare for an unprecedented recommissioning cycle, 2026 will be a defining year for social care tenders. This article explains the major shifts...

Why Providers Will Lose Points in 2026 Without a KPI Evidence Strategy — and How to Fix It Now

From 2026, providers won’t lose tenders because of poor delivery — they’ll lose because they can’t prove what they deliver. With MAT scoring tightening under the Procurement Act 2023, KPI...

Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) Scoring & Rising Social Value Weightings: What Providers Must Do Before 2026

A practical, late-2025 guide to MAT scoring and the rising importance of social value under the Procurement Act 2023. Learn what commissioners now expect, how scoring models are changing, and...

How to Prepare for the Procurement Act 2023 (2025–2026): Practical Guide for Social Care & NHS Providers

The Procurement Act 2023 went live in February 2025 — but its real impact is being felt now as commissioners embed MAT scoring, transparency duties and new renewal routes. This...

The Procurement Act 2023: What Health and Care Providers Need to Know

The new Procurement Act 2023 reshapes how public contracts are advertised, evaluated and awarded. This guide explains what’s changing, how it affects NHS and local authority tenders, and what providers...

Social Care Mini-Series — Tendering, Safeguarding & Person-Centred Practice

A growing collection of complete 7-part mini-series exploring social care tenders, safeguarding, person-centred planning, outcomes, reablement, and more — designed to strengthen your bids and inspection evidence.

How to Strengthen Your Tender Responses by Anticipating Commissioner Priorities

Commissioners’ priorities are evolving, and successful tenders need to reflect this. Learn how to anticipate what commissioners want — and strengthen your responses to win more contracts.

How Commissioners’ Expectations Are Changing in Social Care Tenders

Commissioners’ expectations are shifting. This article explores how providers can align their tender strategies to meet emerging priorities and win more work.

How Tendering Trends Are Reshaping Social Care Opportunities

Discover how shifts in tendering processes are influencing opportunities for social care providers — and how to adapt your strategy to stay competitive.

How Social Care Commissioning Is Changing: What Providers Need to Know

Social care commissioning is changing — with greater scrutiny, tighter budgets, and evolving expectations. Here’s what providers need to know to stay competitive.

Are Councils Cutting Learning Disability Budgets? What Providers Need to Know

With councils under extreme financial pressure, learning disability providers face increasing scrutiny on costs and outcomes. This blog explores the risks, commissioning trends, and how providers can protect services through...

How Strong Governance Builds Confidence with Commissioners and CQC

Strong governance is the foundation of any successful social care service. Here’s how to evidence it to commissioners, CQC, and funders

Direct Payments: Should You Say Yes to Requests for Support?

Direct Payments offer opportunities but also risks for social care providers. This blog explores how to assess whether accepting individual Direct Payment requests is right for your business.

Direct Payments and Risk: What Commissioners Expect Providers to Know

Direct Payments can expose providers to complex risks around safeguarding, finance, and compliance. This article explains what commissioners expect you to understand about these risks — and how to evidence...

Direct Payments: Are They Worth the Risk for Social Care Providers?

Direct Payments can seem attractive, but they carry significant risks for social care providers. This blog explores whether they’re still worth pursuing in 2025 and how to make strategic decisions...

How to Respond to Rising Cost Pressures in Social Care: Practical Strategies for Providers

Rising costs and funding pressures are forcing social care providers to rethink how they operate. In this article, we explore practical strategies to protect your organisation and respond with confidence.

Direct Payments: The Hidden Financial Risks for Social Care Providers

Direct Payments were designed to offer choice and flexibility — but rising fees, poor oversight, and unpaid invoices are creating hidden risks for providers. Here’s what you need to know.

Embedding Social Care Reform Readiness in Your Tender Strategy

Being “reform-ready” is fast becoming a commissioning expectation in social care tenders. This blog explains how to evidence your organisation’s readiness for sector change — from governance to workforce planning...

Procurement Trends in 2025: What Social Care Providers Need to Know

Social care commissioning is changing fast — with new technology, evolving regulations, and increasing expectations on providers. Here’s how to stay ahead of procurement trends in 2025.

What Social Care Providers Can Do Now to Prepare for Future Reforms

With reform looming, this post explores how social care providers can proactively strengthen governance, strategy, and operations — ready for any future changes in commissioning.

How the Procurement Act 2023 and National Care Service Plans Could Collide

Will the Procurement Act 2023 and a potential National Care Service pull social care commissioning in opposite directions? Here’s what providers should be watching.

Levelling Up and Social Care: What’s Happening — and What’s Not

What does Levelling Up really mean for social care providers? Explore the gap between policy promises and practical outcomes — and how to stay prepared.

Integrated Care Systems and Social Care | What Providers Need to Know

Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) are influencing how social care is commissioned and monitored. This article explains the impact on providers and how to align your services for future success.

The Slow Road to a National Care Service: What Providers Should Expect Next

With political promises of a National Care Service still vague, this article explores what’s realistic for providers and how to stay prepared for future change.

How to Align Your Tender Responses with Local Authority Priorities

Aligning your tender responses with local authority priorities helps strengthen your bid and demonstrates your understanding of the commissioning context.

How to Strengthen Your Tenders in Line with the Procurement Act 2023

Stronger tenders win contracts. Here’s how to align your social care bids with the Procurement Act 2023 and stand out for quality, value, and transparency.

Opportunities and Risks for Social Care Providers Under the Procurement Act 2023

The Procurement Act 2023 opens new opportunities — and new risks — for social care providers. Here’s how to prepare and protect your organisation.

Preparing for New Tendering Processes Under the Procurement Act 2023

The Procurement Act 2023 introduces new tendering processes. Here’s how social care providers can prepare to stay competitive and compliant.

Transparency, Fairness, and Flexibility: The Core Principles of the New Procurement Rules

The Procurement Act 2023 embeds new principles into public sector procurement. Here’s what transparency, fairness, and flexibility mean for social care tenders.