Scope
Reference
CN250240
Description
The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has launched a new national supported employment programme called 'Connect to Work' (C2W). Connect to Work is a key part of the Government's new 'Get Britain Working Strategy' and its commitment to supporting the 1.8m people in the UK who would like to work but are not currently participating in the labour market.
The programme aims to support 81,000 individuals per year overall nationally. Connect to work will be delivered by 43 accountable bodies across the UK. Kent County Council (KCC) are one of 43 Accountable bodies and will be delivering the programme on behalf of Kent and Medway.
The "Connect to Work" programme is an initiative aimed at providing employment support to individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions, or other disadvantaged groups. The programme offers targeted interventions, job coaching, workplace support, and other support to ensure that individuals facing challenges can participate in and retain employment.
This Contract award relates to provision of SEQF Supported Employment Services for Kent and Medway, and IPS Services in West Kent. This also relates to piloting of IPS services across Kent and Medway during year one of the Connect to Work programme.
This Contract award concerns the following areas:
SEQF (Kent and Medway)
IPS (West Kent, comprising Dartford, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells). This will also include piloting of IPS provision across the Kent and Medway area for year one of the connect to work programme (until April 2026).
The Council is awarding a contract to its Local Authority Trading Company (Edseco Limited T/A The Education People) to allow a timely implementation of the Connect to Work Scheme within the areas listed above.
A competitive procurement process is underway, (details can be found at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035496-2025 and www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk), with a contract start date of April 2026 to seek external delivery partners for the following contract lots:
North Kent (IPS)
Mid Kent (IPS)
East Kent (IPS)
The relevant procurement documents can be found at www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £15,292,224 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
22 July 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 23 July 2025 to 31 March 2027
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 8 months, 9 days
Description of possible extension:
There will be potential for extension period(s) of up to a total of 3 years (36 months). Any extension period taken will be subject to satisfactory performance of the contract, and continued delivery of the DWP Connect to Work Programme.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The anticipated contract value (based on indicative participant numbers, and all potential extensions) is £15,292,224.
The Council reserves the right to modify these contracts to include additional participant volumes, and/or additional service areas in the following circumstances:
There has been a supplier failure within another lot area(s) within Kent and Medway
An awarded supplier has declined to deliver further services under this programme, or is unable to meet the specified participant targets within their lot area(s)
Additional Connect to Work Funding is made available by DWP for Kent and Medway
Local government reorganisation changes to current Council/district boundaries necessitate amendment of specified contract areas and volumes
Should additional service areas or additional participant volumes be awarded via a contract modification process, the total estimated value of this lot could range from £15,292,224 up to c£32,000,000.
CPV classifications
- 75131000 - Government services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKJ4 - Kent
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Light touch
Direct award justification
Switching to direct award
The Council has opted to award this element of the Connect to Work Programme to its Local Authority Trading Company (LATCO) edseco limited t/a the education people in accordance with the Vertical arrangement exemption under Schedule 2 of the Procurement Act 2023.
The remainder of commissioned services to deliver the Connect to Work Programme are subject to a competitive procurement process in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The link to this procurement opportunity can be found in this notice.
Supplier
edseco limited t/a the education people
- Companies House: 10970974
1 Abbey Wood Road, Kings Hill
West Malling
ME19 4YT
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Kent County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLDL-8938-YGYW
County Hall
Maidstone
ME14 1XQ
United Kingdom
Email: alison.blackman@kent.gov.uk
Website: https://www.kent.gov.uk/
Region: UKJ45 - Mid Kent
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government