Planning

The Provision of Agency Operational Workers for the Probation Service

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

30 Oct 2025 at 10:10

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

24 Oct 2025 at 13:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

24 Oct 2025 at 11:11

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

07 Jul 2025 at 13:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

21 May 2025 at 09:10

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is in the planning stages of a significant procurement process titled "The Provision of Agency Operational Workers for the Probation Service". This initiative, under His Majesty's Prison & Probation Services (HMPPS), seeks to secure temporary resources for probation services across England and Wales. The procurement, classified under the industry category of probation services, is expected to span various locations including prisons, courts, and probation offices throughout regions such as London, South Central, and Wales. The procurement process involves a series of engagement milestones set for early November 2025, with actual bidding phases and contract discussions scheduled between March and October 2026. This project is currently in the planning stage and will follow an open procedure under the light-touch regime, and is above the threshold for procurement classification.

The prospective contract offers substantial opportunities for companies specialising in personnel supply services, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). Given the diverse locations and roles within the probation service, businesses with capabilities in managing staffing and operational needs in public service settings are well-suited to apply. This engagement will help potential suppliers to inform the Authority’s strategic development, enabling them to contribute to continuity and improvement in service delivery. The future contract, valued at an estimated £122 million, assures a stable opportunity for business growth over the initial contract period from November 2026 through November 2032. Interested parties are encouraged to participate in the initial engagement phases to better position themselves for the procurement process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

The Provision of Agency Operational Workers for the Probation Service

Notice Description

This Notice is UPDATED for the purpose of initiating engagement to support the Authority (Ministry of Justice) and His Majesty's Prison & Probation Services (HMPPS) in developing its strategy for 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: Develop Strategy and Internal approval 21/07/2025 to 27/2/2026 Invitation to Submit Tenders phase - 02/03/2026 to 17/04/2026 Clarification Phase 03/03/2026 to 03/04/2026 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. The Authority is keen to follow up with a further round of engagement to gain market insight from possible suppliers; therefore, should your organisation have the capability and capacity to participate , please respond via the messaging facility on the Jaggaer platform where you have previously submitted an interest for this tender. A response by 2pm on Monday 3rd November 2025 is required. All organisations who express an interest, will be invited to a Teams meeting between the 5th & 6th November 2025. Further details and joining instructions for the planned Market Engagement event will also be provided via the messaging facility of the Authority's e-procurement portal. Note this Notice is for market engagement purposes only and does not signify the commencement of any procurement process and does not constitute any commitment by the Authority. Separate notice(s) will be published at the relevant time when the Authority decides to commence any procurement activity

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/069628-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

75231240 - Probation services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Oct 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Mar 20261 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 1 Nov 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
mojprocurementcontingentlabourandrecruitment@justice.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Post Town
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

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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