Scope
Description
Connect to Work
The recently launched "Get Britain Working" White Paper outlines Government's strategy to invest £240m to support the ambition of a national 80% employment rate and help improve workplace health and keep people in work, including trials of combined public services for those out of work due to ill health. Connect to Work is the first major element of the Get Britain Working Strategy.
By encouraging join-up between health systems and employment support, Connect to Work will support those, primarily, currently outside the workforce and facing greater labour market disadvantages, to stay in work and get back into work. In turn, supporting the Government's ambition for a more inclusive economy, supporting local people to realise their potential and supporting local and national growth. Connect to Work funding will support around 100,000 disabled people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to get into employment and on in work. In the North East, Connect to Work will support 13,500 residents across the entirety of the programme.
The North East Combined Authority is the Accountable Body for Connect to Work in the North East and, working in partnership with the seven constituent local authorities, is responsible for the commissioning of Connect to Work delivery.
Connect to Work is a voluntary programme, delivering the evidence-based Supported Employment model, 'place, train, and maintain', via two different types of interventions based on the needs of the participant - Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Local Supported Employment (LSE). This opportunity relates to the IPS intervention only.
The Invitation to Tender is open for 30 days from Thursday 20th March. It is anticipated that delivery will start on 1st August 2025.
Total value (estimated)
- £30,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2025 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 8 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75131000 - Government services
- 79634000 - Career guidance services
- 80521000 - Training programme services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
19 March 2025
Engagement process description
The recently launched "Get Britain Working" White Paper outlines Government's strategy to invest £240m to support the ambition of a national 80% employment rate and help improve workplace health and keep people in work, including trials of combined public services for those out of work due to ill health. Connect to Work is the first major element of the Get Britain Working Strategy.
By encouraging join-up between health systems and employment support, Connect to Work will support those, primarily, currently outside the workforce and facing greater labour market disadvantages, to stay in work and get back into work. In turn, supporting the Government's ambition for a more inclusive economy, supporting local people to realise their potential and supporting local and national growth.
In England and Wales, Connect to Work funding will support around 100,000 disabled people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to get into employment and on in work.
Connect to Work is a voluntary programme, providing a specific form of support targeted at the right people at the right time, based on their individual circumstances. The programme will deliver the evidence-based Supported Employment model, 'place, train, and maintain', via two different types of interventions - Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Local Supported Employment (LSE).
As the Accountable Body, the North East CA is responsible for the commissioning, implementation and management of the Connect to Work which will support 13,500 residents across the entirety of the programme.
An Invitation to Tender for the IPS intervention will be launched on Thursday 20 March 2025 and will be live for 30 days on the OPEN tendering system.
It is anticipated that delivery will start in Summer 2025.
The purpose of this online session is to provide a high-level overview of the Connect to Work commissioning process, specification, and timescales.
Link to Eventbrite:
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
20 March 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
North East Combined Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJMR-6594-BRGH
The Lumen, St James' Boulevard
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE4 5BZ
United Kingdom
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government