National Care Academy for Wales: Operating Model Design and Implementation Planning (Workstream 2)

Background

(a) National Care Academy for Wales

Social Care Wales, sponsored by the National Office for Care and Support and working in partnership with the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS Cymru), is leading the design and development of a National Care Academy for the social work and social care in Wales.

The National Care Academy for Wales is intended to:

• Provide a national framework and virtual infrastructure for workforce learning, development and progression.
• Support locally delivered learning, development and academy activity.
• Promote clear and accessible career pathways across the social work and social care workforce.
• Support implementation of the Pay and Progression Framework and wider workforce priorities.
• Maximise the value of existing learning, development and workforce investment.
• Be delivered collaboratively by Social Care Wales, Welsh Government, the National Office for Care and Support, ADSS Cymru, local authorities and wider sector partners.
• Not operate as a standalone training provider.

(b) Workstream 1: National Care Academy for Wales Workforce Learning and Development Mapping and Discovery Exercise

Workstream 1 mobilised on 1 October 2026 and will focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of the current social work and social care learning, development and progression landscape across Wales, including existing workforce development activity, career pathways, Care Academy models, and opportunities for future improvement.

Introduction – Workstream 2 (this commission)

This commission represents Workstream 2 of the National Care Academy programme and will build directly upon the findings, evidence and recommendations emerging from the National Care Academy Mapping and Discovery Exercise (Workstream 1) to move the programme from discovery into service design, testing and implementation planning.

This commission will focus on developing:

• A detailed, co-designed National Care Academy Target Operating Model and Service Blueprint.
• A clear National Care Academy offer that complements and supports existing local, regional and national workforce development activity.
• A preferred operating and delivery model, supported by stakeholder testing, governance, oversight, accountability and partnership arrangements.
• Benefits realisation, performance management and evaluation frameworks.
• A phased implementation roadmap, including recommendations for a Minimum Viable Model (MVM).
• Implementation cost and resource considerations.

Social Care Wales will make available all relevant Workstream 1 outputs as they are completed throughout the contract term, including reports, supporting evidence, datasets and presentation materials. The supplier will build upon and refine the evidence gathered through Workstream 1 rather than repeat or duplicate discovery activity.

The supplier will be expected to undertake the design process collaboratively with key stakeholders across the sector, using co-design, stakeholder engagement and structured testing approaches to develop, refine and validate proposed models. Suppliers must demonstrate how stakeholder insight and feedback have influenced the evolution and selection of the preferred model. The successful supplier will also be expected to work collaboratively with any future supplier commissioned to develop branding, communications and promotional activity for the National Care Academy, ensuring all recommendations contribute towards a coherent, integrated and sustainable national proposition.

• Implementation Approach

Social Care Wales anticipates that the National Care Academy will be developed incrementally through a phased approach rather than implemented in its entirety from the outset. Suppliers should therefore consider how a preferred model could initially be established through a Minimum Viable Model (MVM) that delivers early value, achieves organisational readiness and establishes the foundations for future growth. Recommendation

Background (a) National Care Academy for Wales Social Care Wales, sponsored by the National Office for Care and Support and working in partnership with the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS Cymru), is leading the design and development of a National Care Academy for the social work and social care in Wales. The National Care Academy for Wales is intended to:

• Provide a national framework and virtual infrastructure for workforce learning, development and progression.
• Support locally delivered learning, development and academy activity.
• Promote clear and accessible career pathways across the social work and social care workforce.
• Support implementation of the Pay and Progression Framework and wider workforce priorities.
• Maximise the value of existing learning, development and workforce investment.
• Be delivered collaboratively by Social Care Wales, Welsh Government, the National Office for Care and Support, ADSS Cymru, local authorities and wider sector partners.
• Not operate as a standalone training provider.

(b) Workstream 1: National Care Academy for Wales Workforce Learning and Development Mapping and Discovery Exercise Workstream 1 mobilised on 1 October 2026 and will focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of the current social work and social care learning, development and progression landscape across Wales, including existing workforce development activity, career pathways, Care Academy models, and opportunities for future improvement. Introduction – Workstream 2 (this commission) This commission represents Workstream 2 of the National Care Academy programme and will build directly upon the findings, evidence and recommendations emerging from the National Care Academy Mapping and Discovery Exercise (Workstream 1) to move the programme from discovery into service design, testing and implementation planning. This commission will focus on developing:

• A detailed, co-designed National Care Academy Target Operating Model and Service Blueprint.
• A clear National Care Academy offer that complements and supports existing local, regional and national workforce development activity.
• A preferred operating and delivery model, supported by stakeholder testing, governance, oversight, accountability and partnership arrangements.
• Benefits realisation, performance management and evaluation frameworks.
• A phased implementation roadmap, including recommendations for a Minimum Viable Model (MVM).
• Implementation cost and resource considerations.

Social Care Wales will make available all relevant Workstream 1 outputs as they are completed throughout the contract term, including reports, supporting evidence, datasets and presentation materials. The supplier will build upon and refine the evidence gathered through Workstream 1 rather than repeat or duplicate discovery activity. The supplier will be expected to undertake the design process collaboratively with key stakeholders across the sector, using co-design, stakeholder engagement and structured testing approaches to develop, refine and validate proposed models. Suppliers must demonstrate how stakeholder insight and feedback have influenced the evolution and selection of the preferred model. The successful supplier will also be expected to work collaboratively with any future supplier commissioned to develop branding, communications and promotional activity for the National Care Academy, ensuring all recommendations contribute towards a coherent, integrated and sustainable national proposition.

• Implementation Approach

Social Care Wales anticipates that the National Care Academy will be developed incrementally through a phased approach rather than implemented in its entirety from the outset. Suppliers should therefore consider how a preferred model could initially be established through a Minimum Viable Model (MVM) that delivers early value, achieves organisational readiness and establishes the foundations for future growth. Recommendations should clearly distinguish between the components required for initial implementation and those that may be introduced through subsequent phases as the National Care Academy evolves and matures. Aims and Objectives The aim of this commission is to develop a co-designed, evidence-based, stakeholder-tested and scalable National Care Academy Model for Wales that supports workforce learning, development and career progression across the social work and social care sectors. Building on the findings, evidence and recommendations emerging from Workstream 1, the commission will develop, test and refine a preferred National Care Academy Model that provides a clear national offer whilst supporting local delivery and maximising existing investment in workforce development activity across Wales. The commission seeks to establish a National Care Academy Model that includes:

• A clear relationship between national leadership, infrastructure and coordination functions, and locally delivered learning, development and workforce support activity.
• A co-designed service model, operating model and delivery approach.
• Governance, oversight, accountability and partnership arrangements.
• Benefits realisation, performance management and evaluation frameworks. informed through stakeholder engagement and user testing.
• A detailed Target Operating Model and Service Blueprint.
• Implementation cost and resource considerations.
• A phased implementation roadmap, including a Minimum Viable Model. (MVM), to support future implementation and scalability.

The successful supplier will work collaboratively with stakeholders across the sector to develop a practical, evidence-based and sustainable model that builds on existing strengths, addresses identified opportunities and supports future implementation decisions. What is required / ‘The Requirements’ The supplier must undertake a structured service design and implementation planning exercise that translates the findings, evidence, and recommendations from the National Care Academy Mapping and Discovery Exercise (Workstream 1) into a practical, evidence-based and deliverable National Care Academy Model for Wales. The supplier must work collaboratively with Social Care Wales, ADSS Cymru, the National Office for Care and Support and other key stakeholders to design, test and refine future National Care Academy arrangements. The supplier must:

• Review and incorporate findings, recommendations and supporting evidence from Workstream 1.
• Build upon existing workforce development arrangements, infrastructure and investment across Wales.
• Avoid unnecessary duplication of existing learning, development and Care Academy activity
• Undertake structured stakeholder engagement, co-design and testing activities to inform model development before recommending a preferred model.
• Develop a clear National Care Academy offer and operating model
• Identify governance, accountability and delivery arrangements.
• Assess implementation requirements, risks and sector readiness
• Develop indicative implementation costs and resource considerations associated with the preferred model
• Produce a phased implementation roadmap and recommendations for future implementation.

The supplier must recognise that social workers and social care workers have distinct professional, educational and workforce development requirements. Recommendations should clearly identify where approaches should be shared and where differentiation may be required to meet the needs of each workforce. PLease see Specification for further details NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=171797. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

Budget There is a budget of £102,000 (inclusive of any applicable VAT) agreed for this tender. The Supplier will provide full financial breakdown of the costs associated with the project for consideration through the evaluation process. Prices must be quoted in pounds sterling and clearly state if VAT will or will not be charged. Contract Duration The contract will run from 7 December 2026 - 31 March 2027.

(WA Ref:171797)

The buyer considers that this contract is suitable for consortia bidding.