Connect to Work (Greater Essex)

Procurement reference

PL0106

Procurement description

Are you passionate about improving people's lives? Essex County Council is proud to announce an opportunity to help up to 3,260 individuals in to sustained employment. 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.

The maximum value of this contract is £10,698,000 (excluding VAT). The contract value including VAT figure has been calculated assuming a 20% VAT rate but this may depend on the successful bidder and their VAT status and is solely their responsibility.

Connect to Work: Grant Guidance for England - GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/connect-to-work/connect-to-work-grant-guidance-for-england

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKH3 - Essex

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

10698000 GBP to 10698000GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

05 January 2026, 00:00AM to 31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 March 2030

Essex County Council

Procedure type

Open procedure

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Trade agreements

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

CPV classifications

• 79611000 - Job search services
• 79634000 - Career guidance services
• 80000000 - Education and training services

Delivery regions

• UKH3 - Essex

Lot value (estimated)

10698000 GBP Excluding VAT

12837600 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

05 January 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 March 2030, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

2 x 12 month extensions.

Award criteria

Tender submission deadline

08 September 2025, 12:00PM

Enquiry deadline

29 August 2025, 23:59PM

Date of award of contract

05 November 2025, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

https://procontract.due-north.com/LoginThe tender name on the ProContract system is Connect to Work.

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

• English