The Human Test: Would You Be Proud if a Family Member Read Your Tender?
Most tenders are written with a panel or commissioner in mind. But what if you wrote it for someone closer — like a loved one, a friend, or a person you once supported?
That’s the “human test.” Would you be proud if a family member read your tender?
Social care is about connection, compassion, and dignity — yet too often our tenders sound more like contracts than commitments. A human-centred tender can still hit all the compliance marks, while showing the reader who you really are.
✅ Step 1: Strip Back the Jargon
We all use terms like “person-centred” and “outcome-focused” — but commissioners want to know what this really looks like in your service. Use clear, honest language that reflects how your team speaks and acts day to day.
✅ Step 2: Tell Real Stories
Think of one moment when your team made someone feel valued, heard, or empowered. Use that example. Tenders that show lived experience — not just process — are more memorable and more likely to score highly.
✅ Step 3: Test Every Paragraph
After each section, ask yourself: “Would I be comfortable reading this out loud to someone I love?” If the answer is no, the language might be too cold, too clinical, or too vague.
✅ Step 4: Show Your Values in Action
Don’t just say your organisation is caring or inclusive — demonstrate it. Use examples of inclusive recruitment, adapting communication styles, or how you’ve supported a person in a crisis. Actions show values far better than mission statements.
✅ Step 5: Speak With, Not About, People
Avoid language that defines people by their conditions or deficits. Frame individuals as people with goals, choices, and identities. Commissioners are looking for services that honour autonomy, not just manage risk.
✔ Final Thought:
Tenders aren’t just technical documents. They’re reflections of your ethos, your culture, and your impact. The next time you write a bid, imagine someone you care about reading it. Would it make you proud? Would it feel authentic?
If yes, you’re doing something right.
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Chat on WhatsApp or email Mike.Harrison@impact-guru.co.uk
Updated for Procurement Act 2023 • CQC-aligned • BASE-aligned (where relevant)