Tender

Connect to Work Supported Employment Service in Dorset

BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Tender

27 Feb 2026 at 14:38

PlanningUpdate

17 Nov 2025 at 09:43

PlanningUpdate

13 Nov 2025 at 09:46

Planning

12 Nov 2025 at 15:42

Planning

23 Jul 2025 at 15:50

Summary of the contracting process

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council is inviting tenders for the provision of the "Connect to Work Supported Employment Service" across Dorset. The procurement falls under the category of education and training services, as well as health and social work services, with a focus on aiding individuals with disabilities or complex employment barriers. Positioned in the UKK24 and UKK25 regions of the United Kingdom, the tender is in the active stage, with submissions closing on 27th March 2026. The contract is set to commence in June 2026 and will span four years, with possibilities for extension based on performance and budget confirmations. This initiative is part of a government-funded programme designed to support economically inactive individuals, launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The procurement uses an open, competitive flexible procedure comprising three stages: compliance checks, quality evaluation, and price submissions, ensuring a thorough selection process.

This tender provides significant potential for business growth, particularly for organisations specialising in supported employment services, vocational training, or social work. With two distinct lots focusing on placement support for both unemployed individuals and adults with learning disabilities, businesses adept in service delivery models tailored to these demographics will find ample opportunity. The competitive flexible procurement method allows organisations, including SMEs and VCSEs, to engage in a diverse market environment. Given the scope and requirements of this programme, companies with experience in collaborative frameworks or those with existing connections to local support services stand to benefit greatly from participation, setting a foundation for long-term engagement in improving employment outcomes for vulnerable groups.

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Notice Title

Connect to Work Supported Employment Service 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 four years 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

Lot 1 - Individual Placement and Support 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

Lot 2 - 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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0564e6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017995-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
27 Mar 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
1 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 May 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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
Post Town
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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