Apprenticeships, Inclusion & Growth: What Buyers Want to See in 2025

Social value isn’t a box-ticking exercise anymore. In 2025, it’s a competitive differentiator — especially in care bids.

Buyers aren’t just looking for providers who deliver excellent care. They want to know how your business uplifts the local economy, supports workforce development, and opens doors for people who’ve historically been excluded. That’s where apprenticeships, inclusion, and growth come in.

At Big Sister, we’ve helped over 500 care businesses secure government contracts, and our bid writing team knows exactly what evaluators want to see. If you’re preparing to submit a tender in 2025 — especially under the Care for the Future initiative — here’s what you need to know.

Why Social Value Is Shaping the Future of Procurement

With the Social Value Model fully embedded into UK procurement, buyers must evaluate not just what you do, but how you do it. Care contracts — especially those issued by local authorities and NHS bodies — now award significant marks (typically 10–20%) based on how your organisation contributes to:

• Economic regeneration
• Environmental responsibility
• Equal opportunity
• Wellbeing
• Community integration

Put simply, if your bid doesn’t speak clearly to social value, you’re at a major disadvantage.

Apprenticeships: Building the Next Generation of Carers

Buyers love to see investment in apprenticeships — and not just as a footnote. They want to know how many apprentices you’re taking on, what career pathways you’re creating, and how you’re helping people into long-term, stable employment.

How to Position Apprenticeships in Your Bid:

• Include actual numbers — don’t be vague.
• Talk about the types of apprenticeships you offer (e.g. Level 2 Adult Care Worker).
• Mention any partnerships with local colleges or training providers.
• Highlight success stories — has someone risen from apprentice to team leader? Tell that story.
• Explain your supervision and support model. Who mentors them? How do you ensure retention?

Big Sister Tip:

If you’re new to apprenticeships, don’t panic — we can help you build a practical plan to include in your bid. Even a small commitment (like hiring 2 apprentices in Year 1) can go a long way if backed with detail and intent.

Inclusion: It’s More Than Just a Policy

Inclusion and equal opportunity are now fundamental social value pillars. But simply having an Equal Opportunities Policy isn’t enough. Buyers want to see how you actively remove barriers for underrepresented groups — both in your workforce and in the care you provide.

What You Should Be Highlighting:

• Diverse recruitment strategies (e.g. working with disability employment specialists or refugee charities)
• Inclusive leadership training
• Accessibility adaptations — both physical (e.g. wheelchair-accessible offices) and operational (e.g. translation services for staff and clients)
• Data tracking — are you measuring representation at all levels of the business?

Remember:

It’s not about being perfect — it’s about showing that inclusion is a living, breathing part of your business strategy, not a token line in your staff handbook.

Growth: Not Just for You, But for the Community

When buyers say they want to see growth, they don’t just mean your revenue. They want to know:

How is your business helping others grow too?

Are you nurturing future leaders? Supporting local suppliers? Creating new job opportunities in deprived areas?

Here’s How to Frame Your Growth Story:

• Local supply chains: Are you sourcing uniforms, food, equipment, or printing locally?
• Employment: Are you actively recruiting from within the community where care is delivered?
• Training progression: Can staff build a long-term career with you? Outline your career pathways and development plans.
• Collaborations: Are you partnering with charities, job centres, or third-sector organisations?

Show that your business is a multiplier — when you win, others benefit too.

What Buyers Want in 2025 (Summed Up)

You don’t need to be the biggest care provider to score highly in social value. You just need to show that you care about these things and have a credible plan to deliver them.

How Big Sister Can Help

Our Care for the Future initiative was designed specifically to help care businesses like yours position their values and social impact in ways that score with evaluators.

Here’s what we offer:

• Bid Writing Support: Our team — including social value specialists — will craft compelling answers tailored to each tender.
• Strategy Development: We help you build realistic, impactful plans around apprenticeships, inclusion, and community partnerships.
• Design Support: We visually bring your commitments to life — infographics, case studies, success stories and more.

And we’re not just doing this for the bid. We’re helping you build a business that’s more impactful, more attractive to commissioners, and more sustainable.

Watch & Follow

Visit the Care for the Future playlist on YouTube
@bigsistercare – for how-to videos, client stories, and tips from Jill and the team.

Follow us on Instagram
@bigsisterhomecare – for daily tips, social value ideas, and behind-the-scenes stories from care businesses like yours.

Final Thoughts

If you’re bidding for care contracts in 2025, now is the time to future-proof your social value strategy. Start small, be honest, and stay focused on what matters most: people.

Because when you build a care business that grows others — that includes and uplifts — your bids won’t just pass. They’ll win.