Planning

Delivery of Wirral Council's Connect to Work Individual Placement Support (IPS) Programme

WIRRAL COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Dec 2025 at 16:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Wirral Council, a sub-central government authority, is initiating a public procurement process for its Connect to Work Individual Placement Support (IPS) Programme, estimated at £4,064,000. This programme targets economic inactivity in the UKD74 region by offering evidence-based Supported Employment using the 'place, train, and maintain' model. A key milestone is the online pre-market engagement event via MS Teams scheduled for Tuesday 16th December 2025, aiming to gather insights into their IPS element of the programme, which focuses on aiding disadvantaged residents in employment pursuits. Current procurement status is in the planning stage, with future notices expected around 2nd January 2026.

This tender presents growth opportunities primarily for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), aligning with the procurement's light-touch regime. Potential providers with expertise in delivering education and training services can leverage this contract from April 2026 to March 2029, with possible extension until March 2030. It is particularly suited for businesses that can provide tailored support to individuals with employment barriers, enhancing the service's receptiveness to diverse circumstances and creating meaningful economic impacts while expanding their operational footprint in public sector engagements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Delivery of Wirral Council's Connect to Work Individual Placement Support (IPS) Programme

Notice Description

Wirral Borough Council (the "Council") is looking for a provider to deliver under contract, the Individual Placement Support (IPS) element of LCR's Connect to Work Connect programme. The value of Wirral's IPS Fund is an estimated PS4,064,000. Connect to Work is a voluntary programme to help tackle economic inactivity by providing a specific form of support targeted at the right people at the right time, based on their individual circumstances. Participants must be both eligible and suitable for the provision. Connect to Work will deliver the evidence-based Supported Employment model, 'place, train, and maintain'. The IPS element of Connect to Work will give particular attention to helping residents who because of their situation, are more likely to face significant disadvantage when trying to gain employment.

Planning Information

Wirral Council is looking for a provider to deliver under contract, the Individual Placement Support (IPS) element of LCR's Connect to Work Connect programme. Connect to Work is a voluntary programme to help tackle economic inactivity by providing a specific form of support targeted at the right people at the right time, based on their individual circumstances. Participants must be both eligible and suitable for the provision. Connect to Work will deliver the evidence-based Supported Employment model, 'place, train, and maintain'. The IPS element of Connect to Work will give particular attention to helping residents who because of their situation, are more likely to face significant disadvantage when trying to gain employment. An online pre-market engagement is taking place as per the details below via Eventbrite. Event Details of Engagement Event Date: Tuesday 16th December 2025 10:00am - 12:00pm Time: 10:00am - 12:00pm (Online - MS Teams) Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1977020147481?aff=oddtdtcreator

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f00d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080298-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,064,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Dec 20252 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Jan 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WIRRAL COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurementplace@wirral.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WALLASEY
Postcode
CH44 8ED
Post Town
Chester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD74 Wirral
Delivery Location
TLD74 Wirral
Local Authority
Wirral
Electoral Ward
Seacombe
Westminster Constituency
Wallasey

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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