Scope
Reference
WNC00000569
Description
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) sought experienced delivery partners to implement the South Midlands Connect to Work Programme in West Northamptonshire.
Information on the Connect to Work Grant Guidance for England can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work/connect-to-work-grant-guidance-for-england
Connect to Work is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) initiative supporting people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to find and sustain employment. It forms part of the UK Government’s Get Britain Working strategy to reduce economic inactivity and promote inclusive growth.
The Connect to Work programme aims to support 1565 economically inactive residents in West Northamptonshire over the next five years by delivering personalised support, including employability training, confidence building, and workplace adjustment advice, increasing awareness and access to local job opportunities, identifying and addressing barriers to employment for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, reducing economic inactivity and reliance on other services through sustained employment, promoting diversity and inclusion among local employers and working collaboratively with other South Midlands local authorities.
This funding is allocated to the South Midlands Partnership region. WNC is the accountable body for Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, North Northamptonshire, and West Northamptonshire. This tender relates specifically to West Northamptonshire.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,422,033 excluding VAT
- £1,706,439.60 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
26 February 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
26 February 2026
Standstill period
- End: 11 March 2026
- 10 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
31 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80500000 - Training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
- 98110000 - Services furnished by business, professional and specialist organisations
- 79600000 - Recruitment services
- 79611000 - Job search services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKF24 - West Northamptonshire
Information about tenders
- 3 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Supplier
Acorn Training Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYXH-7493-PTMT
8 Picadilly Arcade
Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
ST1 1DL
United Kingdom
Region: UKG23 - Stoke-on-Trent
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
West Northamptonshire Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGDV-8944-CMBP
Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED
United Kingdom
Contact name: Claire Baker
Region: UKF24 - West Northamptonshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government