Award

Berkshire Connect to Work Programme

WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

13 Nov 2025 at 11:24

Tender

22 Sep 2025 at 16:11

Planning

30 Apr 2025 at 16:16

Summary of the contracting process

The "Berkshire Connect to Work Programme" is an initiative commissioned by Wokingham Borough Council, a public authority within the sub-central government sector in the United Kingdom. This supported employment service aims to connect local work, health, and skills support to address hidden unemployment. Strategic planning began in April 2025, followed by an open procurement tender process that concluded with awarding the contract in November 2025. Palladium International Limited was the chosen supplier for the programme, which is valued at £9,200,136 gross and will run for an initial three-year period starting on 25th November 2025, with options for extensions based on performance and funding availability. The programme targets the UKJ11 region, encompassing Berkshire, and is categorised under training programme services.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, especially for large-scale organisations specialising in employment services and skill-building within local communities. The programme's structure, which includes an option for extending the contract and potentially increasing participant numbers, provides flexibility and scalability. Businesses with expertise in delivering comprehensive employment support services, including Individual Placement and Support and frameworks enhancing employment quality, are advantageously positioned to contribute to and benefit from this initiative. Additionally, smaller subcontractors have the chance to collaborate, expanding their capacity and presence within the public procurement landscape.

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Notice Title

Berkshire Connect to Work Programme

Notice Description

The commissioning of a Supported employment service using both models of Supported Employment (Individual Placement and Support and Supported Employment Quality Framework) for eligible and suitable participants.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: If further funding becomes available during the course of the contract, the Accountable Body will use the funding to increase the number of Participants in the programme to the maximum allowable under the Procurement Act 2023.

Renewal: This is a 3 year initial contract with optional extensions up to 24 months in total. An extension beyond 31 March 2030 will only be allowed, subject to additional funding being approved. Extensions to the contract are at the Accountable Body's discretion and will depend on budget availability and performance being in line with expectations.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050ab9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073461-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80521000 - Training programme services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,666,780 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£7,666,780 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£7,666,780 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
23 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
23 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
12 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
25 Nov 2025 - 24 Nov 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Mr Keith Robertson
Contact Email
keith.robertson@wokingham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+441182379133

Buyer Location

Locality
WOKINGHAM
Postcode
RG40 1BN
Post Town
Reading
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLJ11 Berkshire, TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Wokingham
Electoral Ward
Emmbrook
Westminster Constituency
Wokingham

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PALLADIUM INTERNATIONAL

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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