Somerset Health and Social Care Training, Workforce Development and Innovation Open Framework

Opportunity overview

Somerset Health and Care Academy (“the Academy”) is a strategic partnership established through a contractual joint venture between Somerset Council (SC), Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SFT), and NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB). The purpose of the Academy is to establish a high-quality, flexible and scalable provider base to deliver training, workforce development, and innovation services aligned to system-wide workforce priorities, with a particular focus on providing high quality social care training programmes. SFT is running this procurement on behalf of the Academy.

Lot 1 — Non-Accredited Context-Specific Training for Social Care and Carers

This Lot is for the provision of high-quality, non-accredited training designed to meet the learning and development needs of the adult social care workforce, unpaid carers, and other relevant care professionals. The training delivered under this Lot must support the development of knowledge, skills and competencies required to provide safe, effective, high quality, person-centred care and support. The Authority requires access to a flexible range of training programmes that can be tailored to local priorities, legislative requirements, emerging best practice, and workforce development needs. Suppliers must be capable of delivering training to a diverse audience, including care workers, support workers, personal assistants, supervisors, managers, and unpaid carers.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £1.2m

Participation condition: See Document 1 Appendix A Conditions of Participation

Award criterion: See Tender documents

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 12 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 11 March 2033

Lot 2 — Accredited Training for Social Care

This Lot is for the provision of nationally recognised accredited qualifications that support the development of a skilled, competent and professionally qualified adult social care workforce. The Authority requires access to a range of regulated qualifications that enable learners to gain recognised credentials, meet statutory and regulatory expectations, support career progression and workforce development priorities within the care sector. Training and assessment delivered under this Lot must contribute to workforce development, recruitment, retention and professionalisation across adult social care settings, including residential care, domiciliary care, supported living and community-based services.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £1.2m

Participation condition: See Document 1 Appendix A Conditions of Participation

Award criterion: See Tender documents

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 12 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 11 March 2033

Lot 3 — Leadership, Management and Workforce Development for Health and Care

This Lot is for the provision of leadership, management and workforce development programmes that strengthen leadership capability and capacity across health, social care and wider care settings. The Authority seeks training and development interventions that support individuals, teams and organisations to lead effectively, manage change, improve workforce wellbeing and deliver high-quality integrated services.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £1.2m

Participation condition: See Document 1 Appendix A Conditions of Participation

Award criterion: See Tender documents

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 12 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 11 March 2033

Lot 4 — Integrated Health and Care Training and Development

This Lot is for the provision of training and development programmes that support integrated health and care services and the strategic priorities of the wider health and care system. The Authority requires flexible, innovative and responsive learning solutions that support collaboration across organisational boundaries and promote integrated approaches to care delivery.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £1.2m

Participation condition: See Document 1 Appendix A Conditions of Participation

Award criterion: See Tender documents

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 12 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 11 March 2033

Lot 5 — Digital, Data and Technology-Enabled Workforce Development

This Lot is for the provision of training and development programmes that enhance digital capability, data literacy and the effective use of technology across health and care services. The Authority seeks to develop a digitally confident workforce capable of embracing innovation, utilising digital tools effectively and delivering safe, technology-enabled care. Providers will be expected to bring innovative approaches to workforce development and training.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £1.2m

Participation condition: See Document 1 Appendix A Conditions of Participation

Award criterion: See Tender documents

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 12 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 11 March 2033

Lot 6 — Education Pathways, Apprenticeships and Career Progression

This Lot is for the provision of education, training and workforce development initiatives that support recruitment, career progression and long-term workforce sustainability across health and social care. The Authority requires providers capable of supporting learners throughout the employment lifecycle, from entry into the workforce through to advanced career development.

Estimated lot value including VAT: £1.2m

Participation condition: See Document 1 Appendix A Conditions of Participation

Award criterion: See Tender documents

Suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises.

Contract starts: 12 March 2027

Initial contract ends: 11 March 2033

Contracting authority

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, TA1 5DA, UKK23, United Kingdom Email: servicesteam.procurement@somersetft.nhs.uk Website: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/

Procurement timetable and procedure

Procedure: Competitive flexible procedure

Clarification deadline: 16 December 2026 at 01:00 pm

Submission deadline: 16 December 2026 at 01:00 pm

Award decision expected by: 26 February 2027 at 11:59 pm

Electronic submissions: allowed

Submission language: EN

CPV Classification

80000000 — Education and training services

How to submit

The official Find a Tender notice directs suppliers to Atamis. The procurement documents, clarifications and response area are managed there.

Open Atamis ↗

TenderLab qualification first

Before we write, we establish whether the opportunity fits.

We examine the published participation conditions, service scope, geography, regulatory position, available evidence, mobilisation demands and commercial exposure with your team. We only confirm a full tender-writing engagement when the available information supports a responsible view that the provider meets the tender requirements.

If Somerset Health and Social Care Training, Workforce Development and Innovation Open Framework is a credible fit, we can map the scored requirements, gather operational evidence and build the response around the buyer documents. The qualification check and any writing support do not guarantee an award; the contracting authority makes the final decision.