Case Management System Suppliers Needed for Children's Unique Identifier Pilot

The Department for Education is seeking up to four Case Management System (CMS) suppliers to participate in an Alpha pilot programme testing a single unique identifier and data standards for children's social care. This programme aims to improve information sharing across agencies by using the NHS Number as a consistent identifier within children's services and implementing common data and technical standards. Selected suppliers will work with the DfE, NHS England, and local authorities to integrate with the 'Get an Identifier' service, implement agreed standards, conduct testing, and provide evidence on technical feasibility, implementation effort, costs, and supplier readiness. The Alpha phase will generate findings to assess whether wider rollout across children's social care is viable, scalable, and affordable. Participating suppliers must recruit local authorities, complete onboarding and assurance activities, implement functionality in their CMS products, produce reports and evaluation outputs, and develop cost and timeline assumptions for potential future deployment. Contracts will cover the Alpha phase duration including implementation, testing, reporting, and evaluation activities. Participation in this pilot does not guarantee future contracts, procurement opportunities, or involvement in wider rollout.