DHSC: ASC: Leadership Development Programme for new and aspiring DASS

DHSC is undertaking preliminary market engagement to understand supplier interest, capability and capacity to deliver a Leadership Development Programme for new and aspiring Directors of Adult Social Services (DASS). This exercise gives potential bidders an opportunity to review the requirement and provide market feedback to help DHSC develop the final Invitation to Tender (ITT) fairly and transparently.

The government recognises that its significant ambitions for adult social care reform and improvement will require strong leadership at local level. We need to ensure that new and aspiring DASSs are equipped with the confidence and capability to harness the benefits of reforms and to deliver improvements in outcomes for residents. In order to develop leadership capacity, support career progression and enable reform and improvement across adult social care, we are exploring a new leadership development programme for new and aspiring DASSs.

The proposed Leadership Development Programme for adult social care aims to help develop adult social care leadership capacity and capability, specifically amongst those new to leadership. The programme should support up to 50 participants across two streams, one for aspiring DASSs and one for those recently appointed to the role. Its aims are to:

• Rapidly equip a cohort of aspiring DASSs with the necessary capability and confidence to be exemplary leaders.
• Support a cohort of new to post DASSs to develop their capability and confidence–contributing to improving attrition rates within the sector by helping DASSs remain in post for longer periods.
• Support DASSs to drive sustainable, strategic improvement in councils.
• Help to increase the number of councils rated as ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ in the CQC’s local authority adult social care assessments.

Although this PME is being made available via the open market, DHSC currently expects to conduct the procurement through the GCA Learning and Training Services Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), RM6219. We have identified this as our proposed route to market due to the benefits it provides for both DHSC and potential bidders. Organisations wishing to participate in any tender which may follow this market engagement, should ensure they are registered on this DPS. If the DPS is used as the procurement strategy, only suppliers listed in the DPS according to the specified filters will receive an ITT.

DHSC is also keen to maximise opportunities to participate in procurement for Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Consideration will be given to collaborative bids.

Contract Value: The estimated total value of the contract is up-to £909,000 excluding VAT, £1,090,800 including VAT. The funding is expected to be divided broadly equally between the two financial years, reflecting the substantial work required to develop and mobilise the programme rapidly during the final quarter of 2026/27 and to support delivery throughout 2027/28.

Contract Term: A term of 15-months. The programme is expected to commence in January 2027, with programme evaluation to conclude in March 2028. There is not expected to be an option to extend at this stage.

Disclaimers - this PME:

• Does not signify the commencement of a competitive procurement.
• Does not constitute any commitment by the Department of Health and Social Care to procure services.
• Does not create any obligation on the Department.
• Does not provide a competitive advantage to any suppliers engaging with DHSC at this early stage, and DHSC will ensure equal treatment of all interested parties at all times.

Any funding estimates referenced are indicative only and subject to change. The Department makes no commitment at this stage to the final scope or funding envelope of any future contractual activity.