Award

South Midlands Connect to Work Programme (West Northants area)

WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

02 Mar 2026 at 10:31

Award

26 Feb 2026 at 17:39

Tender

12 Dec 2025 at 15:08

Summary of the contracting process

West Northamptonshire Council is leading the South Midlands Connect to Work Programme, with the latest award update occurring on 2nd March 2026. This procurement falls under the category of services, particularly focusing on training, health, and social work services. The initiative aims to support residents in the West Northamptonshire area by enhancing employability and promoting inclusion through personalised training services. The contract period spans from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2030, with Acorn Training Ltd selected as the supplier. West Northamptonshire Council undertook an open procedure to facilitate this process, ensuring transparency and fair competition. The initiative is part of the Department for Work and Pensions' strategy to foster economic growth and reduce inactivity, with an allocated budget of £1,706,439.60. Key dates included the standstill period ending on 10th March 2026, and the signature date scheduled for 31st March 2026. The programme specifically targets the UKF24 region.

The Connect to Work Programme presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in training, recruitment, and social services, as it seeks firms capable of delivering high-quality, personalised solutions to boost employability amongst economically inactive individuals. Companies adept at providing comprehensive training programs tailored to individuals with disabilities and long-term health conditions could benefit from increased visibility and potential long-term partnerships within the South Midlands region. SMEs, like Acorn Training Ltd, have showcased their capability by advancing to the final procurement stage, signalling that well-prepared small to medium-sized enterprises can successfully compete against larger firms in government tenders. This initiative also encourages diversity among local employers, offering a platform for organisations focused on inclusive practices and community engagement to expand and solidify their presence in the market.

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Notice Title

South Midlands Connect to Work Programme (West Northants area)

Notice Description

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) sought experienced delivery partners to implement the South Midlands Connect to Work Programme in West Northamptonshire. Information on the Connect to Work Grant Guidance for England can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work/connect-to-work-grant-guidance-for-england Connect to Work is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) initiative supporting people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to find and sustain employment. It forms part of the UK Government's Get Britain Working strategy to reduce economic inactivity and promote inclusive growth. The Connect to Work programme aims to support 1565 economically inactive residents in West Northamptonshire over the next five years by delivering personalised support, including employability training, confidence building, and workplace adjustment advice, increasing awareness and access to local job opportunities, identifying and addressing barriers to employment for people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, reducing economic inactivity and reliance on other services through sustained employment, promoting diversity and inclusion among local employers and working collaboratively with other South Midlands local authorities. This funding is allocated to the South Midlands Partnership region. WNC is the accountable body for Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes, North Northamptonshire, and West Northamptonshire. This tender relates specifically to West Northamptonshire.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f50e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018280-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

79600000 - Recruitment services

79611000 - Job search services

80000000 - Education and training services

80500000 - Training services

85000000 - Health and social work services

98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

98110000 - Services furnished by business, professional and specialist organisations

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,422,033 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,422,033 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,422,033 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 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
NORTHAMPTON
Postcode
NN1 1ED
Post Town
Northampton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF24 West Northamptonshire
Delivery Location
TLF24 West Northamptonshire

Local Authority
West Northamptonshire
Electoral Ward
Castle
Westminster Constituency
Northampton North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ACORN TRAINING

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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