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The Provision of Agency Operational Workers for the Probation Service

Ministry of Justice

This public procurement record has 11 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

07 Jul 2026 at 10:52

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

03 Jul 2026 at 11:51

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

01 Jul 2026 at 15:33

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

02 Apr 2026 at 13:47

UK4 - Tender Notice
TenderUpdate

11 Mar 2026 at 15:12

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

11 Mar 2026 at 14:42

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

30 Oct 2025 at 10:10

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

24 Oct 2025 at 14:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

24 Oct 2025 at 12:11

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

07 Jul 2025 at 14:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

21 May 2025 at 10:10

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by the Ministry of Justice involves the provision of agency operational workers for the Probation Service, supporting His Majesty's Prison & Probation Services across England and Wales. This contract aims to secure temporary staffing solutions, addressing staff shortfalls that may hinder operational objectives. The procurement method used is an open procedure, and the procurement category is services, with a focus on personnel supply services, including probation officers and other related roles. The contract, valued at £122 million, is set to commence on 2nd November 2026 and will run until 1st November 2032. The award stage is currently pending, with Service Care Solutions identified as the supplier following the submission and evaluation phases that concluded on 12th June 2026. Key dates include the contract award on 15th June 2026, and the contract signature and mobilisation scheduled between 26th June 2026 and 30th October 2026.

This tender represents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in temporary staffing services, particularly those with experience in providing personnel for public sector roles, such as probation services. The open procurement method allows a competitive bidding process, offering a chance for both large firms and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to participate, fostering business growth within the sector. Businesses with the capability to supply qualified probation staff across multiple regions in the UK will find this contract particularly suited to their strengths. Companies like Service Care Solutions, with SME status, have successfully positioned themselves to meet this demand, illustrating the scope for growth and partnership with the Ministry of Justice in delivering essential public services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

The Provision of Agency Operational Workers for the Probation Service

Notice Description

This requirement is to support the Authority (Ministry of Justice) and His Majesty's Prison & Probation Services (HMPPS) in the future delivery of temporary resources for Probation Services across England and Wales. The Probation Services is seeking a supplier(s) to provide qualified probation operational workers to address temporary staff shortfalls that could jeopardise the delivery of core business objectives. This may include covering periods of absence, in lieu of permanent recruitment or to manage temporary increases in work. Probation operational temporary staff include Probation Officers and Senior Probation Officers, both of whom must hold the relevant qualification for their role. Other key roles include Probation Services Officers, Victim Liaison Officers, and Unpaid Work Supervisors. All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. The worker volume will fluctuate dependent on business need. HMPPS employee base is diverse and geographically dispersed across England and Wales. Temporary Probation workers may be based within one of the c.120 public or private prison establishments, c.170 courts, c.110 Probation Delivery Units, c.100 Approved Premises, or some are based within Council Buildings or Police Stations. Probation is divided into 12 Regions: London, South Central, Kent Surrey and Sussex (KSS) South West, East of England, West Midlands, East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire and the Humber, North East, North West and Wales. These services are currently being delivered by two providers and these contracts expire in October 2026 necessitating the need for a new contract(s). The Indicative Competition timeline is as follows: Invitation to Submit Tenders phase - 11/03/2026 to 24/04/2026 (extended) Clarification Phase 11/03/2026 to 10/04/2026 (extended) Evaluation and internal approvals 20/04/2026 to 12/06/2026 Contract Award 15/06/26 Contract Signature & Mobilisation 26/06/2026 - 30/10/2026 Bidders should note that the dates above are indicative and may be subject to change.

Planning Information

Please message via PQQ_521 on the Jaggaer portal to submit your preference and availability with three 30 minute time slot options between 12pm & 5pm on either the 5th or 6th November. The authority will confirm your timeslot before 5pm on 3rd November with joining details.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0519e4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063518-2026
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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£122,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£122,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£122,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
24 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
2 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
1 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 1 Nov 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Justice
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Service Care Solutions

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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