Scope
Reference
CP2662-24/1
Description
Connect to Work is a DWP programme grant funded through DCC as the lead accountable body on behalf of Torbay, Plymouth and Devon.
The Programme requires the delivery to the following persons with social disability or other priority audiences who are:
• Economically inactive or unemployed: Person has not worked for around 6 months due to their disability, long term health condition or disadvantages and feel they need comprehensive tailored employment support to help them to identify the right roles for their needs and to engage in effective job search towards work.
• Employed but risk of dropping out of work: Person is working/Self-employed for at least 3 months and is struggling to sustain employment due to their disability, long term health
condition or disadvantages. However, it is acceptable to offer support to individuals who have been employed for shorter periods where the Accountable Body judges that would
be appropriate.
• Maintaining work: Person has never been in employment or a track record of struggling to retain jobs/sustain employment due to their disability, long term health condition or
disadvantages
The programme is delivered through a Supported Employment model - a place train and maintain model delivered through a five-stage process. There are two approaches, both using recognised international standards (Fidelity Models) and both using the principles that participants are employed in the Open Labour Market, it being Paid Work with Ongoing Support provided.
• IPS integrates employment support alongside primary and secondary health services, and other support services. This integration ideally occurs at a physical level, through co-location and other policies, where applicable. IPS has been successfully utilised within the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) programme to support individuals with mild to moderate mental health and/or physical health conditions.
Universal Support will utilise and expand on the approach taken with IPSPC. Whilst Universal Support will complement IPS Severe Mental Illness and IPS Alcohol and Drugs, these will remain separate IPS services.
• SEQF is (as required) a more in-depth intervention than the form of IPS used for Universal Support. SEQF is oriented most usually around supporting learning disabled and/or autistic adults as well as others with complex support needs where clinical integration is not needed or appropriate.
Lot 3 is for IPS services delivered in Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon.
Contract 1. CP2662-24/1 Connect to Work (Lot 3 IPS in Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon)
Supplier
Contract value
- £566,100 excluding VAT
- £679,320 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
15 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 15 January 2026 to 15 January 2027
- Possible extension to 15 January 2028
- 2 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The Authority may extend the Contract up to 1 year (12 months), depending on the Authority's requirements and the supplier's success in achieving the requisite outcomes. The extension would modify the contract budget and volume of participants as set out in the Specification.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79611000 - Job search services
- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
Contract locations
- UKK43 - Devon CC
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Light touch
Direct award justification
Switching to direct award
Under CP2662-24 Connect to Work (ocds-h6vhtk-04e910) the Authority received 2 bids for this Lot. 1 bid failed the minimum quality threshold (60%) which was set out in the tender documents. The remaining bidder had already been awarded 2 Lots. Under the rules set out in the tender documents bidders were only permitted to be awarded a maximum of 2 lots per Authority. The restriction was put in place to make the procurement accessible and fair for SMEs and VCSEs.
As a result, the Authority is left with no bidder for this Lot. This leaves a critical gap in service delivery. Therefore, under Section 43 of the Procurement Act 2023 the Authority intends to switch this lot to a direct award.
Supplier
CRYSTAL PATHWAYS LTD
- Companies House: 12102960
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLRJ-9554-TTRD
85 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 7LT
United Kingdom
Email: admin@crystalpathways.co.uk
Website: http://crystalpathways.co.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. CP2662-24/1 Connect to Work (Lot 3 IPS in Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon)
Contracting authority
Devon County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJRC-4623-RJBH
County Hall, Topsham Road,
Exeter,
EX2 4QD
United Kingdom
Region: UKK43 - Devon CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government