--- title: "Guidance to support returners to get back into paid employment." ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION" published: "2018-02-02" --- # Guidance to support returners to get back into paid employment. Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207.json) ## Summary The Department for Education is seeking proposals for a contract titled "Guidance to support returners to get back into paid employment." This initiative, classified under the education and training services industry, aims to deliver accessible guidance for individuals who have taken time off work to care for family. The procurement method is open, with the tender currently in the planning stage. Bidders should submit their proposals by the deadline of 12th February 2018, with the contract expected to commence shortly thereafter on 14th February 2018, lasting until 11th May 2018. This tender presents a significant opportunity for organisations experienced in developing support materials tailored to the needs of returners, particularly those aiming to re-enter the workforce. Businesses that specialise in training, career counselling, or educational resources, especially those providing flexible and inclusive support, would be well-suited to compete. The successful bidder will play a critical role in devising strategies to enhance the employability of returners, responding to a key government initiative to promote inclusivity and workforce reintegration. ## Notice See 'Attachments' for a Word description. The Government Equalities Office (GEO) is seeking to issue a contract to an organisation to develop bespoke guidance for returners, which will be easily accessible and free. Returners are defined as those who have taken time out of paid employment to care for children or other family members and find it difficult to return to employment, at the same skill level. Background The Government's 2017 Spring Budget allocated PS5 million over two years to the Government Equalities Office to "promote returnships in the public and private sector". Key objectives include: to increase the number of returner programmes on offer; to ensure employers have the advice and support required to run a returner programme; and to support returners to apply for returner programmes effectively. Guidance has already been commissioned to provide advice and support for employers to run effective returner programmes. This tender is to invite relevant organisations to bid to prepare and develop guidance for returners that will support them to find appropriate employment at the right level. The Guidance The guidance should provide comprehensive and holistic advice, based on current employment recruitment practices, and address returners' particular employment needs. The successful organisation should have some understanding of what support and advice returners need to get back into employment. The guidance should be written clearly, so it is accessible for all audiences and the final draft should be ready for publication. As a minimum, we expect it to cover the following areas: * Provide advice on current employment recruitment practices including finding appropriate jobs; use of social media; completion of a CV and interview skills; * Provide support and advice that can be applied to any sector; * Information on how to find jobs that offer part-time or flexible hours and how to use appropriate networks; * Advice on how returners can refresh their skills, address a lack of current work experience and build professional confidence; * Advice on opportunities to retrain for a new career e.g. apprenticeships; * Test the draft guide with a sample group of returners to ensure it is effective. In addition to meeting the minimum criteria, we expect bidders to suggest additional ideas to support returners further. Additional information: 14 February 2018 (approx.). Once the contract has been issued, we will invite the successful organisation to meet and start work on the guidance immediately. We will also arrange regular meetings (approximately every two weeks) to discuss ongoing progress. We will consider bids where there is a good understanding of who returners are and how to support them, as well as experience of project management and working with government. We will consider bids that demonstrate value for money and how the guidance will be delivered within budget. A fuller explanation of the evaluation process will be available on the invitation to tender. You can access this by contacting Returners.Team@geo.gov.uk ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/17a7c5b4-a107-47eb-ab96-fea9827e86e9 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 2 Feb 2018 | | Submission deadline | 12 Feb 2018 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 14 Feb 2018 - 11 May 2018 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £20,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 3BT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 80000000 - Education and training services ## Release History - 2 Feb 2018 at 19:04 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/17a7c5b4-a107-47eb-ab96-fea9827e86e9 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/17a7c5b4-a107-47eb-ab96-fea9827e86e9 2nd February 2018 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/28b12c80-2729-4f3f-90d3-e360b7b0f74e Description and additional information ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3a45506a-56ef-4a93-822b-75284b77b207.json.