--- title: "Connect to Work (Greater Essex)" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-051695" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051695" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051695.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051695.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2025-10-31" --- # Connect to Work (Greater Essex) Buyer: ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-051695 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051695) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051695.json) ## Summary The procurement process for the "Connect to Work (Greater Essex)" programme, initiated by Essex County Council, has reached the award stage. The council, acting as the accountable body, sought a provider to deliver specialised employment services across Greater Essex, catering to the needs under the "Get Britain Working" initiative. This contract focuses on employment, health, and skills support, following frameworks like Individual Placement & Support (IPS) and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF). Services under this opportunity include job search, career guidance, and training, targeting various segments within the region UKH3. The procurement adhered to an open procedure, classified under services with a gross contract value of £11,764,677. Following the tender completion on 31st October 2025, the award process selected Shaw Trust Limited (The) as the supplier. The contract is set to commence on 5th January 2026 and may extend up to 31st March 2030, given specified renewal conditions. This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses in the employability and training industry, especially those with expertise in supported employment models. Organisations with a track record in collaborative service delivery are well-suited to develop effective supply chains, as demonstrated by the involvement of small, medium, and voluntary community social enterprises (VCSEs) previously. Specifically, SMEs and large businesses with capabilities in health-related employment support stand to leverage this initiative to expand their market reach. The focus on sustained employment pathways for challenging job markets makes this contract especially relevant for businesses aiming to contribute to local economic growth and inclusive employment strategies. ## Notice Essex County Council, as the accountable body, is looking for a provider to assist in delivering the Connect to Work programme across Greater Essex. The Government's "Get Britain Working" White Paper sets out the Government's intention to devolve funding for supported employment, including the Connect to Work Programme. Connect to Work aims to help connect local work, health and skills support and help eligible participants to secure sustainable work through a voluntary supported employment model, observing to Individual Placement & Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) frameworks. Through this, Connect to Work will expand the use of the proven five stage Supported Employment model of 'place, train and maintain'. Essex County Council is looking for a Provider that will develop and lead a supply chain of specialist organisations with a track record of successfully working and building trusted relationships with our prioritised cohorts. The successful bidder must be able to demonstrate a track record in delivering supported employment programmes, specifically through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) models. Delivery must align with national best practice and local commissioning priorities, ensuring high fidelity to both models. ### Planning Information The Market Engagement Session is divided into three parts • Webinar on Wednesday 4th June 2025 10:00 - 11:30 for Employment Providers. • Webinar on Tuesday 10th June 2025 10:00 - 11:00 for Voluntary Sector. • In person session on Wednesday 25th June 2025 1:30 - 3:00pm at Watt Tyler Country Park for all. The, in person, event will provide an overview of the Connect to Work delivery model for Greater Essex, what SEQF/IPS provision (supported employment ) Essex County Council as the Accountable Body will be procuring and the timescales for the procurement process and answer any questions on that. The event will then introduce local organisations, often but not exclusively, VCSE organisations providing employment support to specified Connect to Work cohorts i.e Refugees across Greater Essex to potential Prime providers that want to deliver Connect to Work across Greater Essex. Outcomes for attendees: • An understanding of the delivery model for Connect to Work in Greater Essex, • An understanding of what ECC will be procuring and the timescales for this and how it fits with existing supported employment in Great Essex • Introductions/contacts between potential Prime providers and supply chain partners. All interested Suppliers who wish to register to take part in any sessions from above to complete the form using the link below to receive an invite to the webinar or in person event: https://forms.office.com/e/7HFd3ReTCr ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070175-2025 | | Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 31 Oct 2025 | | Submission deadline | 8 Sep 2025 | | Future notice date | 31 Jul 2025 | | Award date | 31 Oct 2025 | | Contract period | 5 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £10,698,000 | | Lots value | £10,698,000 | | Awards value | £9,803,898 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Pending | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | CHELMSFORD | | Post town | Chelmsford | | Postcode | CM1 1QH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex | | ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex | | Local authority | Chelmsford | | Electoral ward | Moulsham and Central | | Westminster constituency | Chelmsford | | Delivery location | TLH3 Essex | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | SHAW TRUST LIMITED(THE | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 79611000 - Job search services - 79634000 - Career guidance services - 80000000 - Education and training services ## Release History - 31 Oct 2025 at 15:23 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070175-2025 - 30 Jul 2025 at 12:54 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044289-2025 - 24 Jul 2025 at 13:47 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042829-2025 - 11 Jun 2025 at 15:53 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031670-2025 - 4 Jun 2025 at 12:09 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029874-2025 - 30 May 2025 at 08:20 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028644-2025 - 19 May 2025 at 09:44 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022491-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070175-2025 31st October 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044289-2025 30th July 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042829-2025 24th July 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031670-2025 11th June 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029874-2025 4th June 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028644-2025 30th May 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022491-2025 19th May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - http://www.seetec.co.uk - http://www.shawtrust.org.uk - https://forms.office.com/e/7HFd3ReTCr - https://procontract.due-north.com/Login - https://procontract.due-north.com/LoginThetendernameontheProContractsystemisConnecttoWork. - https://www.getsetuk.co.uk/ - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.sapphirecommunity.org/ ## 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-h6vhtk-051695. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051695.json.