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

Kent County Council

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

20 Apr 2026 at 19:12

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

23 Feb 2026 at 11:50

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council has commenced the award phase of its procurement process for the Connect to Work (IPS Provision) programme, aimed at supporting employment in Kent's North, Mid, and East regions. Positioned within a competitive flexible procedure, this selective procurement falls under the light touch regime, focusing on services in government, education and training, as well as health and social work sectors. The procurement stage highlights April 2026 as a critical timeframe, marking the initiation of contract periods. The successful execution of this programme promises extensive opportunities in the aforementioned service categories, offering scope for organisations to engage in transformative social impact initiatives.

This tender opens avenues for large-scale service providers and SMEs that focus on employment support, health services, and social welfare. Key contractors, such as The Forward Trust and Shaw Trust Limited, are leading the efforts in executing the IPS model, potentially expanding their service influence across Kent and Medway. The provision for contract renewal and modifications based on performance and additional funding underscores significant growth potential. This tender serves contractors with geographic flexibility and encourages business entities aligned with the programme's mission to enhance workforce participation among disadvantaged groups, thus fostering substantial business expansion and community development.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

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

Notice 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. The following contract areas are included in this contract: 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)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05471b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035844-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

75131000 - Government services

80000000 - Education and training services

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£11,518,956 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£19,173,568 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Apr 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Kent County Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME14 1XQ
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
Penenden Heath
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

The Forward Trust

The Shaw Trust Limited

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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