Scope
Reference
PL0106
Description
Essex County Council, as the accountable body, is looking for a provider to assist in delivering the Connect to Work programme across Greater Essex.
The Government's "Get Britain Working" White Paper sets out the Government's intention to devolve funding for supported employment, including the Connect to Work Programme. Connect to Work aims to help connect local work, health and skills support and help eligible participants to secure sustainable work through a voluntary supported employment model, observing to Individual Placement & Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) frameworks. Through this, Connect to Work will expand the use of the proven five stage Supported Employment model of 'place, train and maintain'.
Essex County Council is looking for a Provider that will develop and lead a supply chain of specialist organisations with a track record of successfully working and building trusted relationships with our prioritised cohorts.
The successful bidder must be able to demonstrate a track record in delivering supported employment programmes, specifically through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) models. Delivery must align with national best practice and local commissioning priorities, ensuring high fidelity to both models.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £9,803,898 excluding VAT
- £11,764,677 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
31 October 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
31 October 2025
Standstill period
- End: 12 November 2025
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
14 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 5 January 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 2 months, 27 days
Description of possible extension:
Possible extension as follows:
2 x 12 month extensions.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79611000 - Job search services
- 79634000 - Career guidance services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Information about tenders
- 4 tenders received
- 4 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 2 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 3 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Unsuccessful suppliers
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Suppliers
GET SKILLS EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING LTD
- Companies House: 07083531
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCWM-2653-WRMG
86-90, Paul Street
London
EC2A 4NE
United Kingdom
Website: https://www.getsetuk.co.uk/
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED
- Companies House: 02291188
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGVV-9925-QLMM
75/77 Main Road
Essex
SS5 4RG
United Kingdom
Website: http://www.seetec.co.uk
Region: UKH37 - Essex Thames Gateway
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
SHAW TRUST LIMITED(THE)
- Companies House: 01744121
- Charity Commission (England and Wales): 287785
Black Country House, Rounds Green Road
Oldbury
B69 2DG
United Kingdom
Region: UKG37 - Sandwell
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Supported employment provider: Yes
Public service mutual: No
Associated people/organisations:
1. IDEAS PLUS (Trading as Employ-Ability)
Address: The Latton Bush Centre, Southern Way, Harlow, Essex, CM18 7BL
2. Dynamic New Anglian (DNA) Networks
Address; 7 St. Peters Court, Middleborough Colchester,
CO1 1WD
3. The Poppy Factory
Address:
Contract 1
THE SAPPHIRE EMPLOYABILITY AND WELLBEING ACADEMY LTD
- Companies House: 14828368
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHCM-5217-DDTM
Unit 28, 43 and 44 The Business Centre St. Olav's Court, Lower Road, Southwark
London
SE16 2XB
United Kingdom
Website: https://www.sapphirecommunity.org/
Region: UKI44 - Lewisham and Southwark
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Contracting authority
Essex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Email: melody.mahachi@essex.gov.uk
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government