Connect to Work (Supported Employment) - IPS Provision in North, Mid and East Kent

A Tender Notice
by KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

Source
Find a Tender
Type
Contract (Services)
Duration
2 year
Value
£16M
Sector
PROFESSIONAL
Published
24 Jun 2025
Delivery
01 Apr 2026 to 31 Mar 2028
Deadline
n/a

Concepts

Location

South East England:

Geochart for 1 buyers and 0 suppliers

1 buyer

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. The majority of participants on the programme (75%) will be supported using the Individual Placement Support (IPS) fidelity model. This opportunity relates to the IPS intervention only. For this procurement exercise, KCC are including the following contract areas in the completive tender process: Lot 1 - North Kent (IPS) (comprising the Gravesham and Medway districts) Lot 2 - Mid Kent (IPS) (comprising the Swale, Ashford and Canterbury districts) Lot 3 - East Kent (IPS) (comprising the Shepway, Dover and Thanet Districts) A Contract Lotting Map has been provided within the procurement documents, to provide a visual representation of contract lotting and geographical boundaries for the service.

Lot Division

1 North Kent (IPS)
  • Value: £6M

The North Kent (IPS) lot includes the following district areas: Gravesham and Medway. The successful provider will be expected to deliver all IPS Supported Employment provision within this lot area. It is anticipated that c.1358 participants in total will be supported within this area for the duration of the programme. Further information relating to the services and volumes to be delivered can be found in the procurement documents.
2 Mid Kent (IPS)
  • Value: £5M

The Mid Kent (IPS) lot includes the following district areas: Swale, Ashford and Canterbury. The successful provider will be expected to deliver all IPS Supported Employment provision within this lot area. It is anticipated that c.1860 participants in total will be supported within this area for the duration of the programme. Further information relating to the services and volumes to be delivered can be found in the procurement documents.
3 East Kent (IPS)
  • Value: £5M

The East Kent (IPS) lot includes the following district areas: Swale, Ashford and Canterbury. The successful provider will be expected to deliver all IPS Supported Employment provision within this lot area. It is anticipated that 1441 participants in total will be supported within this area for the duration of the programme. Further information relating to the services and volumes to be delivered can be found in the procurement documents.

Renewal Options

There will be an optional extension period, up to a maximum of 2 years (24 months). This is subject to availability of funding and supplier performance during the initial contract term.

Award Criteria

Price per Quality Point (PQP) _
Quality _

CPV Codes

  • 75131000 - Government services
  • 80000000 - Education and training services
  • 85000000 - Health and social work services

Indicators

  • Restrictions apply to the lot award allocation.
  • Options are available.
  • Renewals are available.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **

Reference

Domains