Tender

South Midlands Connect to Work Programme (West Northants area)

WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Dec 2025 at 15:08

Summary of the contracting process

West Northamptonshire Council invites tenders for the South Midlands Connect to Work Programme in West Northamptonshire, aimed at supporting people with disabilities or long-term health conditions to gain and maintain employment. This initiative is part of the Government’s Get Britain Working strategy, promoting inclusive economic growth. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage, utilising an open procedure under the light-touch regime, with substantial funding of £1,706,439.60 allocated for this programme. Interested parties must submit their bids by 23 January 2026, with the contract award scheduled for 25 February 2026. The programme covers a range of services, including training, recruitment, and job search assistance, targeting the UKF24 region.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in training services, health and social work, and professional advisory services to expand their portfolio in the public sector. Enterprises with expertise in delivering employability training, workplace adjustments, and promoting diversity among employers will find this contract particularly rewarding. The successful delivery partner will collaborate with South Midlands local authorities and contribute to reducing economic inactivity by supporting 1,565 residents over five years. With the council as the buyer, business growth is fostered through the enhancement of local workforce capabilities and inclusion, offering the possibility of sustained financial and social value.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

South Midlands Connect to Work Programme (West Northants area)

Notice Description

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) seeks 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f50e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082577-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

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
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Dec 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jan 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL
Contact Name
Claire Baker
Contact Email
procurement@westnorthants.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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

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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