Supported Internship Programme for Care Leavers

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Supported Internship Programme for Care Leavers

Notice Description

NHS England is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the development of a future procurement for a Supported Internship Programme for care-experienced young people. The programme aims to support care-experienced young people aged 16 to 25 who are economically inactive, have the right to work in the UK, and are receiving Universal Credit or other eligible benefits, by providing paid internship opportunities within NHS organisations. NHS England is seeking feedback from interested organisations on the proposed delivery model and market capability. The appointed provider, partnership, or consortium would be expected to support programme mobilisation, develop local delivery partnerships, recruit and retain eligible participants, provide coaching and mentoring, and deliver training and support for line managers. The programme is expected to recruit 350 eligible participants across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside, and/or Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country. The programme will be delivered as part of a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT), with 175 participants receiving the supported internship intervention and 175 participants receiving an alternative support offer. The purpose of the trial is to assess the effectiveness and value for money of the model in improving employment outcomes for care-experienced young people. Organisations with relevant experience of supporting disadvantaged young people into employment, delivering coaching and mentoring services, working with employers, and supporting participant engagement and retention are encouraged to contribute to this engagement exercise. The information gathered through this preliminary market engagement will help shape the service requirements, delivery model, procurement strategy, and specification ahead of any future formal procurement process. If you'd like to respond to this market engagement, please see link below to access the full documentation. https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome Alternatively, you can access the market engagement directly from the form survey link below. https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/CY3KL1tSrP

Planning Information

Pilot a bespoke supported paid internship for care leavers furthest away from employment, using NHS organisations to provide work placements. It will target care leavers aged 16-25 who are classed as economically inactive, have a right to work in the UK and are reliant on universal credit/legacy benefits. Using funding allocated by DHSC to procure a delivery partner (or consortium) with demonstrable track record of coaching, mentoring and supporting care leavers and local organisations to design recruitment of interns, train line managers and pilot a cohort. The delivery partner will have access to care experienced young people and be able to mobilise partnerships, recruiting 350 eligible participants into an NHS-hosted Supported Internship Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) (175 intervention; 175 control) across Greater Manchester, Cheshire & Merseyside and/or Birmingham, Solihull & Black Country. Prior experience of RCT work and associated communications with young people will be advantageous.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d9d9
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073234-2026
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: £1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value: Not specified
Awards Value: Not specified
Contracts Value: Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date: 3 Aug 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: 31 Aug 20264 weeks to go
Award Date: Not specified
Contract Period: 30 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: NHS ENGLAND
Contact Name: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality: LONDON
Postcode: SE1 8UG
Post Town: South East London
Country: England
Major Region (ITL 1): TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2): TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3): TLI45 Lambeth
Delivery Location: Not specified
Local Authority: Lambeth
Electoral Ward: Waterloo & South Bank
Westminster Constituency: Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

Further Information

Notice Documents

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073234-2026
3rd August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073143-2026
3rd August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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