Award

Connect to Work (Greater Essex)

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

Award

31 Oct 2025 at 15:23

TenderUpdate

30 Jul 2025 at 12:54

Tender

24 Jul 2025 at 13:47

PlanningUpdate

11 Jun 2025 at 15:53

PlanningUpdate

04 Jun 2025 at 12:09

Planning

30 May 2025 at 08:20

Planning

19 May 2025 at 09:44

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "Connect to Work (Greater Essex)" programme, initiated by Essex County Council, has reached the award stage. The council, acting as the accountable body, sought a provider to deliver specialised employment services across Greater Essex, catering to the needs under the "Get Britain Working" initiative. This contract focuses on employment, health, and skills support, following frameworks like Individual Placement & Support (IPS) and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF). Services under this opportunity include job search, career guidance, and training, targeting various segments within the region UKH3. The procurement adhered to an open procedure, classified under services with a gross contract value of £11,764,677. Following the tender completion on 31st October 2025, the award process selected Shaw Trust Limited (The) as the supplier. The contract is set to commence on 5th January 2026 and may extend up to 31st March 2030, given specified renewal conditions.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses in the employability and training industry, especially those with expertise in supported employment models. Organisations with a track record in collaborative service delivery are well-suited to develop effective supply chains, as demonstrated by the involvement of small, medium, and voluntary community social enterprises (VCSEs) previously. Specifically, SMEs and large businesses with capabilities in health-related employment support stand to leverage this initiative to expand their market reach. The focus on sustained employment pathways for challenging job markets makes this contract especially relevant for businesses aiming to contribute to local economic growth and inclusive employment strategies.

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Notice Title

Connect to Work (Greater Essex)

Notice 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.

Planning Information

The Market Engagement Session is divided into three parts • Webinar on Wednesday 4th June 2025 10:00 - 11:30 for Employment Providers. • Webinar on Tuesday 10th June 2025 10:00 - 11:00 for Voluntary Sector. • In person session on Wednesday 25th June 2025 1:30 - 3:00pm at Watt Tyler Country Park for all. The, in person, event will provide an overview of the Connect to Work delivery model for Greater Essex, what SEQF/IPS provision (supported employment ) Essex County Council as the Accountable Body will be procuring and the timescales for the procurement process and answer any questions on that. The event will then introduce local organisations, often but not exclusively, VCSE organisations providing employment support to specified Connect to Work cohorts i.e Refugees across Greater Essex to potential Prime providers that want to deliver Connect to Work across Greater Essex. Outcomes for attendees: • An understanding of the delivery model for Connect to Work in Greater Essex, • An understanding of what ECC will be procuring and the timescales for this and how it fits with existing supported employment in Great Essex • Introductions/contacts between potential Prime providers and supply chain partners. All interested Suppliers who wish to register to take part in any sessions from above to complete the form using the link below to receive an invite to the webinar or in person event: https://forms.office.com/e/7HFd3ReTCr

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051695
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070175-2025
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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

79611000 - Job search services

79634000 - Career guidance services

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,698,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£10,698,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£9,803,898 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Oct 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
8 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
31 Oct 20253 months ago
Contract Period
5 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
melody.mahachi@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SHAW TRUST LIMITED(THE

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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