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Connect to Work Programme

Hartlepool Borough Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Aug 2026 at 11:27

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

27 Jul 2026 at 14:35

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

11 May 2026 at 11:38

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Hartlepool Borough Council is leading the Connect to Work Programme for Tees Valley Combined Authority, with delivery across the five participating council areas: Hartlepool, Darlington, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland. The procurement covers employment support, education and training, social work, supported employment and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services. Lot 1 covers Supported Employment Quality Framework services across Tees Valley. Lot 2 covers IPS in Darlington and Stockton-on-Tees; Lot 3 covers IPS in Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland; and Lot 4 covers IPS in Hartlepool. The programme is intended to help participants engage with employment, secure paid work and retain employment, including support from Employment Specialists and services meeting Department for Work and Pensions job-outcome definitions.

The open procedure has been completed and awards were made on 27 July 2026. Lot 1 was awarded to WAYTHROUGH for £1,789,630 gross, covering Tees Valley Supported Employment Quality services. Lot 4 was awarded to LET'S CONNECT (ENG) LTD for £694,600 gross, covering Hartlepool IPS services. The contracts were signed on 7 August 2026 for Lot 1 and 27 July 2026 for Lot 4, with both running from 10 August 2026 to 31 March 2028 and capable of extension to 31 March 2030, subject to funding and performance. The procurement's estimated total value was £6,304,116 gross. Evaluation weighted approach to delivery at 24%, experience and delivery or subcontractor management at 19% each, mobilisation at 15%, social value and data, finance and reporting at 10% each, and supplier incentives at 3%.

This award demonstrates established demand from five Tees Valley councils for employment-support providers able to deliver structured supported employment and IPS programmes at regional and borough scale. Credible competitors will need practical experience of engaging unemployed and economically inactive participants, helping them achieve paid job starts, supporting sustained employment and meeting defined outcome measures. They will also need a strong delivery model, qualified Employment Specialists, effective referral and initial-engagement processes, and the ability to manage delivery across multiple local authority areas. Robust subcontractor management, data handling, financial controls and performance reporting are central requirements, alongside measurable social value and a clear mobilisation plan. Providers should be able to demonstrate reliable partnership working with councils, employers and referral organisations, and the operational capacity to evidence outcomes against Department for Work and Pensions definitions.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Connect to Work Programme

Notice Description

Hartlepool Borough Council (the Council) has been appointed as the Lead Body by Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) for the Connect to Work Programme. As such, the Council is responsible for ensuring successful management and delivery of the programme across Tees Valley.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - Tees Valley (SEQF Only)

Renewal: The Council may extend that Contract Term for 24 months to 18th May 2030 subject to funding and contract performance of the Providers.

Lot 2 - Darlington & Stockton-on-Tees (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)

Renewal: The Council may extend that Contract Term for 24 months to 18th May 2030 subject to funding and contract performance of the Providers.

Lot 3 - Middlesbrough & Redcar & Cleveland (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)

Renewal: The Council may extend that Contract Term for 24 months to 18th May 2030 subject to funding and contract performance of the Providers.

Lot 4 - Hartlepool (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)

Renewal: The Council may extend that Contract Term for 24 months to 18th May 2030 subject to funding and contract performance of the Providers.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069576
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075624-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

80 - Education and training services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

75200000 - Provision of services to the community

80000000 - Education and training services

80400000 - Adult and other education services

80570000 - Personal development training services

85300000 - Social work and related services

85310000 - Social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,253,430 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,253,430 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£2,484,230 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£2,484,230 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
10 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 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
Hartlepool Borough Council
Additional Buyers

Darlington Borough Council

Middlesbrough Council

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

Stockton on Tees Borough 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
HARTLEPOOL
Postcode
TS24 8AY
Postcode Area
Cleveland
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC31 Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees
Delivery Location
TLC1 Tees Valley and Durham, TLC11 Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, TLC12 South Teesside, TLC13 Darlington
Local Authority
Hartlepool
Electoral Ward
Victoria
Westminster Constituency
Hartlepool

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Waythrough

Hartlepool and East Durham Mind

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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