--- title: "Open Framework for the Connect to Work Programme across Greater Lincolnshire" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04e7dc" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e7dc" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e7dc.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e7dc.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2025-12-04" --- # Open Framework for the Connect to Work Programme across Greater Lincolnshire Buyer: LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04e7dc [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e7dc) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e7dc.json) ## Summary The procurement process for the "Open Framework for the Connect to Work Programme across Greater Lincolnshire" involves Lincolnshire County Council as the buying organisation. This initiative, set within the recruitment services industry, aims to support individuals who are economically inactive due to health conditions, disabilities, or complex barriers. Taking place in the UKF30 region, including Lincolnshire, the procurement stage has reached the award phase as of 4th December 2025. The programme has a four-year term starting on 1st November 2025, with possible extension up to 2033, and involves an investment of approximately £7.5 million annually. The framework, accessible to public sector bodies like North East Lincolnshire Council and North Lincolnshire Council, is under the Government's Get Britain Working Strategy and aligns with the Department for Work and Pensions' Supported Employment Model. This tender offers substantial opportunities for providers in recruitment and employment support services to expand their business. SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited for the tender, given the focus on tailored participant support and integration with local partners, such as healthcare and veteran groups. Businesses with expertise in employment law, employer support, and occupational health services can also gain from this framework, particularly in "In Work Retention Support" across Lincolnshire. The contract's flexibility, allowing annual openings for new entrants, offers a dynamic environment conducive to business growth, with direct awarding options for specialist provisions. ## Notice In Spring 2024, Government launched a programme to support people who are economically inactive due to health conditions, disability or complex barriers back to work. The supported employment programme, entitled Connect to Work, is being launched by Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in partnership with local authority clusters, to provide specific support targeted at the right people, at the right time and based on an individual's circumstances. Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) are committed to delivering the Connect to Work scheme across Greater Lincolnshire via a combination of in-house and external partner support. LCC are seeking to launch an Open Framework for the provision for the Connect to Work programme. The Open Framework will be accessible to the following public sector bodies: - Lincolnshire County Council - North East Lincolnshire Council - North Lincolnshire Council Connect to Work is the first programme under the Government's new Get Britain Working Strategy. The programme will be a voluntary, high-fidelity Supported Employment programme, connecting work, health and skills support across all of England and Wales. For full details please see the Connect to Work Grant Guidance paragraphs 1 to 7 as published on Gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work The aim of the Open Framework for the Connect to Work Programme is to seek suitable providers to support in the successful delivery of the Greater Lincolnshire programme expectations which is currently anticipated at around PS7.5 Million per year for three years; and aims to support roughly 2,200 eligible participants per year. Appointed providers will be required to adhere to the principles and five stages of the Supported Employment Model as set out by the Department for Work and Pensions. Full details of the Supported Employment Model along with the Council's requirements can be found in Document 2: Specification. The Framework will run for a period of four years commencing 1st November 2025. There will be an option for the Council to extend the Contract by a period of up to a further four years. It is anticipated that the Framework will be opened up annually to allow new market entrants to join. Details of estimated expenditure or potential future uptake are given in good faith as a guide to anticipated funding provided by Department for Work and Pensions. They should not be interpreted as a guarantee and do not form part of a Contract. ### Lot Information Lot 1 - Individual Placement and Supported (IPS) Out of Work This will cover all other eligible economically inactive participants, with assessment having a primary focus on providers' ability, experience and readiness to integrate with relevant partners to their preferred participant groups for example, healthcare or veterans' support groups. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 1(a) Individual Placement and Supported (IPS) Out of Work Lincolnshire This will cover Lincolnshire and all other eligible economically inactive participants, with assessment having a primary focus on providers' ability, experience and readiness to integrate with relevant partners to their preferred participant groups for example, healthcare or veterans' support groups. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 1 (b) Individual Placement and Supported (IPS) Out of Work North Lincolnshire This will cover North Lincolnshire and all other eligible economically inactive participants, with assessment having a primary focus on providers' ability, experience and readiness to integrate with relevant partners to their preferred participant groups for example, healthcare or veterans' support groups. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 1 (c) Individual Placement and Supported (IPS) Out of Work North East Lincolnshire This will cover North East Lincolnshire all other eligible economically inactive participants, with assessment having a primary focus on providers' ability, experience and readiness to integrate with relevant partners to their preferred participant groups for example, healthcare or veterans' support groups. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 2 Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) SEQF Lot for those eligible and suitable economically inactive participants with Learning Difficulties or Autism and Care Leavers. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 2 (a) Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) Lincolnshire SEQF Lot for those eligible and suitable economically inactive participants with Learning Difficulties or Autism and Care Leavers within Lincolnshire. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 2 (b) Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) North Lincolnshire SEQF Lot for those eligible and suitable economically inactive participants with Learning Difficulties or Autism and Care Leavers within North Lincolnshire. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 2 (c) Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) North East Lincolnshire SEQF Lot for those eligible and suitable economically inactive participants with Learning Difficulties or Autism and Care Leavers within North East Lincolnshire. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 3 In Work Retention Support Open to all eligible and suitable participants who are employed and at risk of dropping out of work due to their health condition, disability or other eligible condition. Procurement for this lot will require knowledge and experience of employment law, providing appropriate employer support and knowledge of and access to support structures available to employees, for example occupational health. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 3 (a) In Work Retention Support Lincolnshire Open to all eligible and suitable participants within Lincolnshire who are employed and at risk of dropping out of work due to their health condition, disability or other eligible condition. Procurement for this lot will require knowledge and experience of employment law, providing appropriate employer support and knowledge of and access to support structures available to employees, for example occupational health. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 3 (b) In Work Retention Support North Lincolnshire Open to all eligible and suitable participants within North Lincolnshire who are employed and at risk of dropping out of work due to their health condition, disability or other eligible condition. Procurement for this lot will require knowledge and experience of employment law, providing appropriate employer support and knowledge of and access to support structures available to employees, for example occupational health. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. Lot 3 (c) In Work Retention Support North East Lincolnshire Open to all eligible and suitable participants within North East Lincolnshire who are employed and at risk of dropping out of work due to their health condition, disability or other eligible condition. Procurement for this lot will require knowledge and experience of employment law, providing appropriate employer support and knowledge of and access to support structures available to employees, for example occupational health. Renewal: The Open Framework is anticipated to run for four (4) years from 1 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to a further four years at the Council's discretion. ### Planning Information Looking for supplier feedback in the form of responses to Questionnaire which will be available on ProContract. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079556-2025 | | Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 4 Dec 2025 | | Submission deadline | 6 Oct 2025 | | Future notice date | 28 Mar 2025 | | Award date | 3 Dec 2025 | | Contract period | 22 Dec 2025 - 31 Oct 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £30,000,000 | | Lots value | £15,700,000 | | Awards value | £82,500,000 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Active, Pending | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | LINCOLN | | Post town | Lincoln | | Postcode | LN1 1YL | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLF3 Lincolnshire | | ITL 3 | TLF30 Lincolnshire CC | | Local authority | Lincoln | | Electoral ward | Carholme | | Westminster constituency | Lincoln | | Delivery location | TLF3 Lincolnshire | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 19 | | Supplier names | AYDEN SIMS; CENTRE4; COMMUNITY LEARNING IN PARTNERSHIP (CLIP; EAN CONSULTANTS; EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT TRUST; GRANTHAM COLLEGE; INCLUSIVE MEDIA SOLUTIONS; INSPIRE EDUCATION GROUP; LEARNING4LIFE-GY; MOMENTUM TECHNICAL COLLEGE; NAVIGO HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE; ONGO RECRUITMENT; RIVERSIDE ACCESS AND TRAINING CENTRE GAINSBOROUGH; STANDGUIDE; TEC PARTNERSHIP; THE GROWTH; THE SHAW TRUST; TONIC HEALTH; TRIAGE CENTRAL | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79600000 - Recruitment services ## Release History - 4 Dec 2025 at 08:51 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079556-2025 - 4 Sep 2025 at 09:03 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053780-2025 - 25 Feb 2025 at 15:48 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007185-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079556-2025 4th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053780-2025 4th September 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007185-2025 25th February 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=97476813-d288-f011-813a-005056b64545&fromProjectDashboard=True The tender documents are available via the Pro-Contract website. ## Notice URLs - https://procontract.due-north.com/ - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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