---
title: "Connect to Work Supported Employment Programme in Dorset"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0564e6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0564e6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0564e6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0564e6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE COUNCIL"
published: "2026-05-29"
---

# Connect to Work Supported Employment Programme in Dorset

Buyer: BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0564e6

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## Summary

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have completed the procurement process for the "Connect to Work Supported Employment Programme in Dorset", with awards signed on 28th May 2026. This programme, backed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), aims to support economically inactive or at-risk individuals due to disabilities or long-term health problems. It is split into two main lots: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF). The contract will commence on 15th June 2026 and is set to run for three years and ten months, with a potential extension of two additional years. The procurement was carried out via an open competitive procedure under a multi-supplier framework agreement.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in education, training, and health and social work services. Large partners such as Bournemouth Churches Housing Association and Salvation Army Trustee Company have secured parts of Lot 1, while SMEs like Brighter Horizons Training LLP and Elevate Employment Services Limited have also participated. The programme's structured support framework allows both large organisations and SMEs to engage, especially those specialising in helping disadvantaged groups through tailored employment services. This collaborative approach can foster business growth by capitalising on government funding to innovate and deliver impactful community services. Businesses that demonstrate experience in supported employment or those that can partner with local councils to deliver such initiatives are well-placed to benefit from similar opportunities in the future.

## Notice

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is seeking providers to deliver a new Dorset wide supported employment service 'Connect to Work Supported Employment Service in Dorset'. Connect to Work is a new government-funded programme launched by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It aims to help individuals who are economically inactive, unemployed, or at risk of losing their jobs due to disabilities, long-term health conditions or other complex barriers to employment. The program provides targeted support to eligible participants and employers, assisting participants in finding and maintaining good quality employment. The programme will be managed and maintained by Skills & Learning Adult Community Education (S&LACE) on behalf of BCP Council and Dorset Council. The tender opportunity is split into 2 different lots: * Lot 1: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) delivery for any eligible out of work or in work participant * Lot 2: Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery for adults with Learning Disabilities or complex barriers to employment Anticipated start date is June 2026. The contract will be for three years and 10 months with the option to extend for a further 2 years (1+1)

### Lot Information

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) delivery for any eligible out of work or in work participant

Renewal: Options to extend are subject to satisfactory performance throughout the life of the contract and the Council's confirmation of funding availability (budget).

Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) delivery for adults with learning disabilities or complex barriers to employment

Renewal: Options to extend are subject to satisfactory performance throughout the life of the contract and the Council's confirmation of funding availability (budget).

### Planning Information

BCP Council is undertaking further market engagement via a survey before finalising the delivery plan for the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions ) funded, local authority led Connect to Work supported employment service for Dorset.
We would like to gain understanding of the range of existing local support services working with adults in Dorset who would potentially be in scope for this new service.
This survey includes a range of questions that will help us to map the existing services and will also help us to determine where there may be experience and capacity within local organisations to become delivery partners, referral partners or support organisations, subject to a formal procurement process.
Before completing the survey, please watch the presentation via the link within the survey to find out more about the Connect to Work supported employment service and our intentions.
Completed surveys should be submitted via the messaging facility on this activity by midday on Monday 1st December 2025 (access is via Supplying the South West).
Participation or non-participation in this market engagement event shall not prejudice organisations participating in any future procurement process nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any organisation at an advantage in any forthcoming procurement process

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050815-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large, SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 29 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 27 Mar 2026 |
| Future notice date | 1 Dec 2025 |
| Award date | 14 May 2026 |
| Contract period | 14 Jun 2026 - 31 Mar 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,930,000 |
| Lots value | £2,930,000 |
| Awards value | £2,930,000 |
| Contracts value | £2,930,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE COUNCIL |
| Locality | BOURNEMOUTH |
| Post town | Bournemouth |
| Postcode | BH2 6DY |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole |
| Local authority | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole |
| Electoral ward | Bournemouth Central |
| Westminster constituency | Bournemouth West |
| Delivery location | TLK24 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, TLK25 Dorset |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 7 |
| Supplier names | BOURNEMOUTH CHURCHES HOUSING ASSOCIATION; BRIGHTER HORIZONS TRAINING; DIMENSIONS (UK; DORSET COMMUNITY ACTION; ELEVATE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES; MINSTEAD TRUST; SALVATION ARMY TRUSTEE COMPANY(THE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 29 May 2026 at 11:45 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050815-2026
- 21 May 2026 at 10:43 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046962-2026
- 11 Mar 2026 at 16:25 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021974-2026
- 27 Feb 2026 at 14:38 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017995-2026
- 17 Nov 2025 at 09:43 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074246-2025
- 13 Nov 2025 at 09:46 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073391-2025
- 12 Nov 2025 at 15:42 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073276-2025
- 23 Jul 2025 at 15:50 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042515-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050815-2026
  29th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046962-2026
  21st May 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021974-2026
  11th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017995-2026
  27th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074246-2025
  17th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073391-2025
  13th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073276-2025
  12th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042515-2025
  23rd July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- http://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/

## Notice URLs

- http://brighterhorizonstraining.co.uk
- http://www.bcha.org.uk/
- http://www.dimensions-uk.org
- http://www.dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk
- http://www.elevate-employment.com
- http://www.minsteadtrust.org.uk
- http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-0564e6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0564e6.json.