DAE Learning Platform — Developer Brief
Domestic Abuse Experts (DAE) is a specialist training and consultancy organisation that requires a custom learning platform to deliver professional masterclass programmes to frontline practitioners across the UK. The platform will combine live facilitated sessions with structured between‑session online learning, assignment submission with individual written feedback, peer discussion forums and downloadable practitioner tools. No existing LMS handles the specific assignment‑feedback workflow, so we are building a bespoke solution. We have an interactive React prototype and a detailed scoping document; you will build the production version.
Scale
* 3–6 different masterclass subjects
* The largest (Counter Allegations) runs 40+ cohorts per year, serving 1,400+ students
* Total platform usage 3,000–5,000+ students per year
* Cohort sizes 20–35 students
* Content identical across all cohorts of the same masterclass – created once, deployed many times
Architecture
Multi‑Course, Multi‑Cohort System
The platform needs a template system:
• Masterclass template: A set of modules with fixed content (videos, readings, assignments, tools, forum prompts). Created once per subject. Editable by admin – changes apply to all future cohorts.
• Cohort: An instance of a masterclass template with its own start date, assigned trainer, enrolled students, forum and assignment submissions. Creating a new cohort should take minutes.
One build supports all current and future masterclass subjects. Adding a new subject means creating a new template and populating it with content – not rebuilding anything.
Three User Roles
Student
* Enrolls in a specific cohort
* Sees only their cohort’s content, forum and submissions
* Accesses modules sequentially (content unlocks on set dates relative to cohort start)
* Each module contains embedded video, written content/case studies, reflection prompts, assignment brief, downloadable PDF tools
* Submits assignments as text with an optional role/service context field; can save drafts before submitting; cannot edit after submission
* Receives written feedback from trainer through the platform
* Participates in cohort forum (weekly discussion + open practice exchange)
* Accesses alumni community after completion
* Tracks own progress (modules completed, assignments submitted, feedback received)
* Receives auto‑generated completion certificate
Associate Trainer
* Assigned to one or more cohorts
* Sees a dashboard of their cohort(s)
* Views all student submissions for their cohort
* Writes and releases feedback on each submission (with a text editor); can paste and edit externally drafted feedback
* Sees student progress overview per cohort (who’s completed what, who’s behind)
* Posts in cohort forum with a “Course Lead” badge
* Can flag submissions for admin review
* Cannot edit masterclass content
Admin (DAE leadership)
* Creates and archives masterclass templates
* Creates cohorts from templates (set start date, assign trainer, enrol students)
* Edits masterclass content (applies to all future cohorts)
* Views all submissions and feedback across all cohorts (quality oversight)
* Platform‑wide analytics: completion rates, submission rates, engagement by cohort
* Manages user accounts (add/remove students, assign trainer roles)
* Manages alumni community
* Exports data (for commissioner reporting)
Core Features in Detail
Content Delivery
* Modules unlock on set dates relative to cohort start (drip scheduling)
* Each module contains multiple content types as sequential steps: embedded video, rich text content, assignment brief with submission form, downloadable PDF attachment, link to that week’s forum discussion prompt, a pre‑session briefing step that can unlock before the next live session
Assignment Workflow (Critical Feature)
1. Student sees assignment brief within their module
2. Student types response in a text field (with an optional “my role and service” context field)
3. Student saves draft or submits
4. On submission: assignment appears in trainer’s dashboard, marked as “Awaiting feedback”
5. Trainer reads submission, writes feedback in a text field, clicks “Release feedback”
6. Student receives notification (email and/or in‑platform) that feedback is available
7. Student views feedback within the assignment screen
8. Trainer can flag any submission for admin review
Trainer’s marking dashboard should show:
• List of all submissions for their cohort, sortable by student name, module, status
• Status categories: Awaiting feedback / Feedback drafted / Feedback released
• A count showing “12/28 marked” or similar at a glance
Forum / Community
* Cohort forum: Private to each cohort. Two spaces – “Weekly Discussion” (with a pre‑loaded prompt per module) and “Practice Exchange” (open discussion).
* Alumni community: Shared across all cohorts from all masterclass subjects. Available to students who have completed any programme. Admin and trainers can post. This is a long‑term community of practice.
* Forum features needed: threaded replies, trainer/admin badges, basic text formatting, ability to pin posts.
* Forum features NOT needed: image uploads, file attachments, emoji reactions, real‑time chat.
Progress and Certificates
* Student dashboard: visual progress indicator (modules completed, assignments submitted, feedback received)
* Completion criteria: all modules accessed + all assignments submitted + all feedback received
* Certificate: auto‑generated PDF branded to DAE, showing student name, masterclass title, completion date and a unique reference number
* Admin view: completion rates by cohort, exportable as CSV
Notifications
* Email notification when: new module unlocks, feedback is released, new forum post in their thread
* Keep notifications minimal – practitioners are busy, do not spam them
* In‑platform notification badge on the Assignments tab when feedback is available
Design
1. Mobile‑first (most students will use phones)
2. Progressive Web App (can be added to home screen – looks and feels like a native app)
3. Clean, professional aesthetic – deep green (#2D3B2D) and warm neutrals
4. Serif headings (Source Serif 4), sans‑serif UI text (DM Sans)
5. Bottom navigation: Modules / Community / Assignments / Progress
The production version should follow this design closely. We are not looking for a redesign – we are looking for someone to build what has already been designed.
Technical Preferences (Flexible)
We are open to the developer’s recommended stack, but our initial thinking is:
* Frontend: React (the prototype is already React)
* Backend/Database: Supabase, Firebase or PlanetScale – whatever the developer is most productive with
* Authentication: Email/password login. Social login not needed.
* Hosting: Vercel, Netlify or similar
* Video: Embedded from Vimeo (not self‑hosted)
* Email notifications: A transactional email service (Resend, SendGrid or similar)
What We Provide
* The interactive React prototype (student‑facing design)
* A detailed scoping document covering all features, user roles and workflows
* The module structure and content plan for the first masterclass (Counter Allegations)
* All written content, videos and PDF tools (we create the course content – you build the platform)
* Access to Vimeo for video embedding testing
* DAE brand assets (logo, colours)
* A responsive product owner (Saskia, DAE CEO) available for questions and review
Timeline
1. Target pilot launch: June 2026
2. Priority for June: student‑facing app + trainer marking dashboard + one masterclass (Counter Allegations)
3. Admin dashboard and AI feedback integration can follow in Phase 2 (July–August)
4. Full platform with multiple masterclasses operational by September 2026
Budget
We are looking for a fixed‑price quote for the build, broken into phases:
* Phase 1 (June): Student app + trainer dashboard + one masterclass template
* Phase 2 (July–August): Admin dashboard + analytics + certificate generation
* Phase 3 (September): AI feedback integration + additional masterclass templates
Please quote per phase and total. We expect ongoing maintenance will be minimal (content changes are handled by admin through the dashboard), but please indicate your availability and rate for post‑launch support.
What We’re Looking For
* A freelance or small‑team full‑stack developer
* Comfortable with React and a modern backend (Supabase/Firebase/similar)
* Experience building web applications with user authentication and role‑based permissions
* Ideally experienced with AI‑assisted development tools (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.) – this significantly accelerates the build
* UK‑based or UK time zone preferred (not essential)
* Someone who communicates clearly and proactively – we need plain English updates
* Portfolio or examples of similar builds (web apps, learning platforms, dashboards)
How to Apply
Please send:
1. A brief overview of your relevant experience to saskia.r@mycwa.org.uk
2. One or two examples of similar projects you’ve built
3. Your estimated timeline and fixed‑price quote (per phase)
4. Your tech stack recommendation and why
5. Your availability for a 30‑minute call to review the prototype and scoping document
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