Scope
Description
Essex County Council is commissioning a service to support individuals aged 16 to 26 years old who have experienced severe mental illness to achieve their vocational goals and aspirations.
This service is in response to the disruption young adults experienced during and following Covid and the high levels of mental health illness now being experienced by young adults which is impacting on their education and employment opportunities
This is a newly commissioned service, based on the data, needs and voice of people that use services who have told us that they do not get the support around their vocational aspirations when they need it due to their mental illness.
The requirements for this service are not fully prescriptive.
Essex County Council would expect the successful provider to work with commissioners and crucially people with lived experience and their carers to inform the design and delivery using a robust approach to co-producing the service.
Lived experience and co-production should be at the heart of shaping the service and Essex County Council fully expects the service to evolve over the life of the contract to reflect this.
The purpose of the service is to support young adults to:
• Be enabled to develop the life skills necessary to access education, training or paid employment.
• Build resilience and aspirations and return to school, college and/or begin training
• Build confidence, self-esteem and motivation
• Develop plans for how to achieve their career plans and aspirations
• Build life skills such as time management, financial/budget management, organisation and team work
• Become engagement ready and access other resources in the community such as youth services
• In particular, the service is to provide opportunities for those individuals who may not have supportive families to guide them through finishing education and planning for work.
• The service will also contribute to the delivery of the outcomes set out in the Essex Mental Health Strategy.
The Authority is issuing this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice to engage with the market and discuss the upcoming tender. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact elizabeth.willis@essex.gov.uk
Commercial tool
Establishes a dynamic market
Total value (estimated)
- £627,000 excluding VAT
- £627,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 18 August 2025 to 18 August 2028
- Possible extension to 18 August 2030
- 5 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85100000 - Health services
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
Contract locations
- UKJ - South East (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
20 June 2025
Engagement process description
The Market Engagement Session was due to be held via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 3rd June at 12pm, unfortunately this has now been postposed due to unforeseen circumstances. It will be rescheduled within the next few weeks, however the exact date is unclear. Our team is hoping this will be no later than 20th June.
However, please contact elizabeth.willis@essex.gov.uk if you are interested in this opportunity or would like further information.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
20 June 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Essex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Elizabeth Willis
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government