Scope
Description
Sheffield City Council, as the Sheffield Delivery Area Member for South Yorkshire's Connect to Work Programme, will be seeking to commission activity to deliver Individual Placement and Support (IPS) outputs and outcomes related to Disadvantaged Groups (non-health) identified in the Department for Work and Pensions Connect to Work guidance.
Procurement activity relates to the following cohorts identified as being eligible for support: A refugee; An Afghan resettler; A person on the Ukrainian scheme; A victim of modern slavery; A victim/survivor of domestic abuse; A care experienced young person or a care leaver; Young people identified as being involved, or at risk of being involved, in serious violence; Veterans: a former member of HM Armed Forces, a partner of current or former Armed Forces personnel, a member of the HM AF reserves; An Ex-offender; A person for whom a drug or alcohol dependency, including a history of drug or alcohol dependency, is a significant barrier to employment; A homeless person; A carer or ex-carer.
Sheffield City Council is consulting on options for achieving 683 programme outputs and associated outcomes during the period April 2026 to March 2030, subject to confirmation of funding post March 2027. The model of delivery for these cohorts must be IPS.
It is expected to advertise the invitation to tender late 2025 with an estimated total budget of about £1.8m over 4 years (subject to final confirmation and decision-making).
We are approaching the market for any comments from potential providers of commissioned IPS activity, or other stakeholders who would like to feed into how we shape the commissioning activity. If you provide your name and contact information we may reach out to discuss further. Any information provided will be treated with confidentiality.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through Connect to Work.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,800,000 excluding VAT
- £2,160,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79611000 - Job search services
- 80530000 - Vocational training services
- 85322000 - Community action programme
Contract locations
- UKE3 - South Yorkshire
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 September 2025
Engagement process description
For more information and to provide a response to this market engagement activity please go to the YORTender portal: https://yortender.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/97506/0/0?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/publictenders&b=YORTENDER
The Council intends to use a blended approach to market engagement for this exercise which involves:
• this opportunity to comment in response to the project brief and let us know anything you think would be important through the online form, and potential follow-up discussions with respondents.
• gauge interest in potential providers who may wish to bid to deliver services through the online form.
• targeted conversations with key stakeholders to ensure we have collected the views of the voluntary and community sector.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 December 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Sheffield City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPQT-9425-JWVM
The Town Hall, Pinstone St
Sheffield
S1 2HH
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@sheffield.gov.uk
Region: UKE32 - Sheffield
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government