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Connect to Work Supported Employment Programme in Dorset

Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council

This public procurement record has 8 releases in its history.

Award

29 May 2026 at 12:45

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

21 May 2026 at 11:43

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

11 Mar 2026 at 16:25

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

27 Feb 2026 at 14:38

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

17 Nov 2025 at 09:43

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

13 Nov 2025 at 09:46

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

12 Nov 2025 at 15:42

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 Jul 2025 at 16:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have completed the procurement process for the "Connect to Work Supported Employment Programme in Dorset", with awards signed on 28th May 2026. This programme, backed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), aims to support economically inactive or at-risk individuals due to disabilities or long-term health problems. It is split into two main lots: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF). The contract will commence on 15th June 2026 and is set to run for three years and ten months, with a potential extension of two additional years. The procurement was carried out via an open competitive procedure under a multi-supplier framework agreement.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in education, training, and health and social work services. Large partners such as Bournemouth Churches Housing Association and Salvation Army Trustee Company have secured parts of Lot 1, while SMEs like Brighter Horizons Training LLP and Elevate Employment Services Limited have also participated. The programme's structured support framework allows both large organisations and SMEs to engage, especially those specialising in helping disadvantaged groups through tailored employment services. This collaborative approach can foster business growth by capitalising on government funding to innovate and deliver impactful community services. Businesses that demonstrate experience in supported employment or those that can partner with local councils to deliver such initiatives are well-placed to benefit from similar opportunities in the future.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Connect to Work Supported Employment Programme in Dorset

Notice Description

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is seeking providers to deliver a new Dorset wide supported employment service 'Connect to Work Supported Employment Service in Dorset'. Connect to Work is a new government-funded programme launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It aims to help individuals who are economically inactive, unemployed, or at risk of losing their jobs due to disabilities, long-term health conditions or other complex barriers to employment. The program provides targeted support to eligible participants and employers, assisting participants in finding and maintaining good quality employment. The programme will be managed and maintained by Skills & Learning Adult Community Education (S&LACE) on behalf of BCP Council and Dorset Council. The tender opportunity is split into 2 different lots: * Lot 1: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) delivery for any eligible out of work or in work participant * Lot 2: Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery for adults with Learning Disabilities or complex barriers to employment Anticipated start date is June 2026. The contract will be for three years and 10 months with the option to extend for a further 2 years (1+1)

Lot Information

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) delivery for any eligible out of work or in work participant

Renewal: Options to extend are subject to satisfactory performance throughout the life of the contract and the Council's confirmation of funding availability (budget).

Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery for adults with learning disabilities or complex barriers to employment

Renewal: Options to extend are subject to satisfactory performance throughout the life of the contract and the Council's confirmation of funding availability (budget).

Planning Information

BCP Council is undertaking further market engagement via a survey before finalising the delivery plan for the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions ) funded, local authority led Connect to Work supported employment service for Dorset. We would like to gain understanding of the range of existing local support services working with adults in Dorset who would potentially be in scope for this new service. This survey includes a range of questions that will help us to map the existing services and will also help us to determine where there may be experience and capacity within local organisations to become delivery partners, referral partners or support organisations, subject to a formal procurement process. Before completing the survey, please watch the presentation via the link within the survey to find out more about the Connect to Work supported employment service and our intentions. Completed surveys should be submitted via the messaging facility on this activity by midday on Monday 1st December 2025 (access is via Supplying the South West). Participation or non-participation in this market engagement event shall not prejudice organisations participating in any future procurement process nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any organisation at an advantage in any forthcoming procurement process

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0564e6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050815-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,930,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,930,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£2,930,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£2,930,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 May 20264 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 May 20264 months ago
Contract Period
15 Jun 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 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
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole 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
BOURNEMOUTH
Postcode
BH2 6DY
Postcode Area
Bournemouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Delivery Location
TLK24 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, TLK25 Dorset
Local Authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Electoral Ward
Bournemouth Central
Westminster Constituency
Bournemouth West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
7
Supplier Names

Bournemouth Churches Housing Association

Brighter Horizons Training

ELEVATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES LIMITED

The Salvation Army

Dimensions

DORSET COMMUNITY ACTION

Minstead Trust

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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