Award

Supported Employment Services

DORSET COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

26 Jan 2026 at 15:31

Tender

10 Oct 2025 at 13:52

Planning

20 Jun 2025 at 13:14

Summary of the contracting process

Dorset Council has completed the procurement process for a Supported Employment Services contract, aimed at aiding individuals eligible under the Care Act in Dorset. This service will provide support in finding employment and voluntary opportunities for adults aged 16 and above with learning disabilities, mental health needs, and physical disabilities. An open procurement procedure was used, with The YOU Trust being selected as the supplier following the assessment period that concluded on 26th January 2026. The standstill period is set to finish on 4th February 2026, with the contract starting on 1st April 2026, and holding the possibility of three one-year extensions, potentially extending the service to 31st March 2031. This contract is valued at £1,080,000 gross and covers services in the health and social work sectors in the region UKK25.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in supported employment and related services. The open procedure and the sizeable contract value create an attractive proposition for organisations in the health, education, and social work industries, particularly those experienced in providing assistance to individuals with disabilities. Given the service's aim to promote economic wellbeing and social inclusion, companies with a focus on social impact and community development are well-positioned to compete. Additionally, with the contract offering potential service modifications in response to funding and service demand changes, there exists room for businesses to expand their service offerings and engage actively in the development and implementation of tailored employment support initiatives.

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Notice Title

Supported Employment Services

Notice Description

Dorset Council carried out an open tender procedure in search for a single supplier to deliver a Dorset Supported Employment Service which supports Care Act eligible people living with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities seeking employment and voluntary opportunities and supporting them to achieve economic wellbeing and social inclusion whilst maximising their potential as a person living in Dorset. The service will be for adults 16yrs+ and will be able to support young people as they enter adulthood, allowing them the opportunity to receive support to achieve their own employment goals. This is separate to the Connect to Work programme, however there will be a direct interface. The Tender Notice was not used to reserve this contract to supported employment providers or to public service mutuals. An assessment summary has been provided on 26th January 2026 to the assessed tenderer and the standstill period is due to end on 4th February 2026. The contract will not be entered into any earlier than 5th February 2026.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The contracting authority reserves the right to extend or renew the term of the contract as stated above. The contracting authority reserves the right to additional goods, services, or works while the contract is valid. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to modify this contract during its term in accordance with Section 74(1)(a) and Paragraph 1 of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023. These modifications may include: * Adjustments to service volumes, or delivery locations within Dorset where they are necessary to respond to changes in funding, policy or service demand. * Changes to funding levels, including application of grant funding or budget reductions. * Further extensions (both for time and value), subject to performance and funding availability alongside governance approvals which might be necessary to respond to changes in funding, policy, or service demand. * Extension of the contract term beyond the 10 per cent provided in Section 74(3)a * Inclusion of additional supported employment needs, provided they fall within the broad scope of the original specification Any modification made under this clause will be documented and, where required, published. The contracting authority also reserves the right to carry out a subsequent procurement of similar goods, services or works in reliance on the direct award justification in paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023.

Renewal: The Contract will be for an initial 2 years, with three optional 12-month extension periods (1+1+1), subject to satisfactory performance and funding, giving a potential total contract period of 5 years.

Planning Information

Dorset Council is undertaking a preliminary market engagement event, with the aim of requesting feedback from the supported employment provider market. The soft market testing exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to express an interest in the opportunity and to outline their views and ideas about the future provision of these services, specifically in the following areas: • What works well in your area? • What barriers do we need to consider going forward? • What will make our service a success? We invite relevant companies and organisations to join us at a Preliminary Market Engagement Event on Wednesday 9th of July of 2025 at 2pm-3pm so that we can explore best practice and service design. To register your interest and to receive a MS Teams invite to the market engagement event, please send an email to adultscommissioningteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 5pm on Tuesday the 8th of July 2025. If your organisation is unable to attend the event but would like a copy of the slides, please also email adultscommissioningteam@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk to express an interest.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0550f4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006765-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

80400000 - Adult and other education services

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£900,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£900,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£900,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
5 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
21 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
26 Jan 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 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
DORSET COUNCIL
Contact Name
Alice Crocker
Contact Email
alice.crocker@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1305221719

Buyer Location

Locality
DORCHESTER
Postcode
DT1 1XJ
Post Town
Dorchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK64 Dorset
Delivery Location
TLK25 Dorset

Local Authority
Dorset
Electoral Ward
Dorchester West
Westminster Constituency
West Dorset

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE YOU TRUST

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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