Scope
Reference
DN783821
Description
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is seeking providers to deliver a new Dorset wide supported employment service 'Connect to Work Supported Employment Service in Dorset'.
Connect to Work is a new government-funded programme launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It aims to help individuals who are economically inactive, unemployed, or at risk of losing their jobs due to disabilities, long-term health conditions or other complex barriers to employment. The program provides targeted support to eligible participants and employers, assisting participants in finding and maintaining good quality employment.
The programme will be managed and maintained by Skills & Learning Adult Community Education (S&LACE) on behalf of BCP Council and Dorset Council.
The tender opportunity is split into 2 different lots:
• Lot 1: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) delivery for any eligible out of work or in work participant
• Lot 2: Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery for adults with Learning Disabilities or complex barriers to employment
Anticipated start date is June 2026. The contract will be for four years with the option to extend for a further 2 years (1+1)
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £2,930,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2030
- Possible extension to 31 May 2032
- 6 years
Description of possible extension:
Options to extend are subject to satisfactory performance throughout the life of the contract and the Council's confirmation of funding availability (budget).
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKK24 - Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- UKK25 - Dorset
Lot 1. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) delivery for any eligible out of work or in work participant
Description
Lot 1 - Individual Placement and Support delivery for any eligible out of work or in work participant
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,650,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery for adults with learning disabilities or complex barriers to employment
Description
Lot 2 - Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery for adults with learning disabilities or complex barriers to employment
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,280,000 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
31 May 2032
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Invitations to participate
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) delivery for any eligible out of work or in work participant
Lot 2. Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery for adults with learning disabilities or complex barriers to employment
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
13 March 2026, 11:59pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
27 March 2026, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
27 April 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 90% |
| Price | Price | 10% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
Currently a 3 stage process:
Tender Compliance Checks
Quality Evaluation
Price Tender Submissions
Contracting authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHYY-7342-PRHH
BCP Council Civic Centre
Bournemouth
BH2 6DY
United Kingdom
Region: UKK24 - Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government