What Counts as Evidence in a Tender? (More Than You Think)
Share
When it comes to writing tenders, many social care providers worry they don’t have enough “evidence.” But in reality, most have more than they think — they just haven’t named it, gathered it, or used it confidently.
Commissioners don’t just want promises. They want proof. And that doesn’t have to mean a shelf full of external audits. It can be everyday, lived evidence — if you know how to present it well.
✅ What Really Counts as Evidence?
Here’s a quick-fire list of things that genuinely count as evidence in social care tenders:
- Service user feedback — verbal or written
- Family testimonials — especially those linked to outcomes
- Staff supervision and appraisal records
- Outcomes tracking or support plan reviews
- Compliments logs or compliments folders
- Incident reports and follow-up actions
- Photographs (with consent) showing activities, progress or engagement
- Informal commissioner praise — e.g. emails, meeting notes
- Training logs and CPD records
- Internal audits or spot checks — even if basic
All of these are credible forms of evidence — even if they’re not ‘formal’ research or inspection reports. And when used well, they can help you demonstrate impact, consistency, and person-centredness.
📌 Don’t Let Perfection Get in the Way of Progress
Waiting until you have a glossy impact report or a full CQC Outstanding rating is a mistake. Use what you have. Build from there. Often, smaller providers with strong relationships and a personal touch can present extremely powerful evidence — it just needs surfacing.
What you say must be believable. But what you show will always land better.
💡 Start Noticing Your Evidence Now
Take 10 minutes this week to jot down:
- Recent compliments you’ve received
- Times you’ve made a measurable difference to someone’s life
- Changes made from staff or service user feedback
This will make tender writing faster, richer, and more competitive when the next opportunity comes along.
- Bid Writing Support for Social Care Providers
- Download Tender-Ready Method Statements
- Downloadable Strategy Documents for Bids
Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers