Executive Mayor’s Employment Fund (MEF)

Procurement description

Croydon continues to experience above-average unemployment and persistent economic inactivity, despite being home to one of the largest working-age populations in London. The borough’s labour market is characterised by high youth unemployment in certain wards, concentrations of low-paid and insecure work, a significant proportion of residents with long-term health conditions, and marked inequalities in access to opportunity by geography, ethnicity, gender and disability.

The MEF has been designed to respond to these challenges by investing in programmes that help residents to move into, remain in and progress within good work. The Fund is aligned with the Council’s emerging Employment and Skills Plan and Adult Education Skills Plan, which set out a long-term strategy for mapping the journey from learning to earning, identifying gaps in progression, and strengthening cross-sector partnerships to reduce economic inactivity and improve access to training, qualifications and meaningful work. The MEF also supports the Mayor’s Business Plan Outcome 2, which is that Croydon should be a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning.

The purpose of the MEF is to support Croydon residents into work, apprenticeships, training or progression opportunities; to provide targeted, culturally competent, evidence-based interventions for residents facing multiple barriers; to strengthen the role of voluntary and community sector partners and specialist providers in employment support; to build collaborative, place-based delivery models; and to ensure that resources reach those most in need, driving measurable improvements in employability, stability and progression.

The Fund will be procured across 4 lots: youth provision for 16–24-year-olds; specialist support for care experienced young people; tailored employment support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness; targeted provision for veterans and their families; and a small grants and community events strand to support community-led engagement and progression activities. Allocations are currently expected to be approximately £175,000 for youth, £75,000 for care experienced young people, £175,000 for homelessness, £50,000 for veterans, although these values remain indicative and may be refined prior to contract award.

The Lot 1 Youth Provision is divided in 3 sub-lots

Sub Lot 1a £50,000 pa

Sub Lot 1b £50,000 pa

Sub Lot 1c £75,000 pa

The Lot 2 is Care Experience Young People is £75,000 pa

The Lot 3 Homelessness Supports is divided in 3 sub-lots

Sub Lot 3a £50,000 pa

Sub Lot 3b £50,000 pa

Sub Lot 3c £75,000 pa

The Lot 4 Veterans Support is£ 50000 pa.

Bidders can only be awarded a maximum of one contract as sole or lead provider and one additional contract as a named partner or sub-contractor

This opportunity is available on the Croydon Tenders Portal. https://in-tendhost.co.uk/croydontenders/aspx/Login

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

950000 GBP to 950000GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM to 18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 18 November 2028

London Borough of Croydon

Procedure type

Open procedure

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Description

Sub-lot 1 a Youth Provision (16-24 years old) - Intensive, youth-focused employment support for 16–24-year-olds in Croydon who are NEET or at risk of disengagement. Purpose: help young people become work-ready, reconnect with learning, and secure jobs/apprenticeships/training.

CPV classifications

• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
• 80530000 - Vocational training services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Lot value (estimated)

100000 GBP Excluding VAT

120000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

18 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

12 months extension

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for

1

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded

1

Participation

Award criteria

Description

Sub-lot 1 b Youth Provision (16-24 years old) - Intensive, youth-focused employment support for 16–24-year-olds in Croydon who are NEET or at risk of disengagement. Purpose: help young people become work-ready, reconnect with learning, and secure jobs/apprenticeships/training.

CPV classifications

• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
• 80530000 - Vocational training services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Lot value (estimated)

100000 GBP Excluding VAT

120000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

18 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

12 months extension

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for

1

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded

1

Participation

Award criteria

Description

Sub-lot 1 c Youth Provision (16-24 years old) - Intensive, youth-focused employment support for 16–24-year-olds in Croydon who are NEET or at risk of disengagement. Purpose: help young people become work-ready, reconnect with learning, and secure jobs/apprenticeships/training.

CPV classifications

• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
• 80530000 - Vocational training services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Lot value (estimated)

150000 GBP Excluding VAT

180000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

18 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

12 months extension

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for

1

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded

1

Participation

Award criteria

Description

Lot2: Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) - Specialist, trauma-informed employment support for care experienced young people aged 16–25. Purpose: build trust, develop skills, reconnect with education, and secure jobs/apprenticeships/training.

CPV classifications

• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
• 80530000 - Vocational training services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Lot value (estimated)

150000 GBP Excluding VAT

180000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

18 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

12 months extension

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for

1

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded

1

Participation

Award criteria

Description

Sub-lot 3a Homelessness Support - Flexible, holistic employment support for adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Purpose: improve stability, build confidence, and progress towards work/training without jeopardizing housing or health.

CPV classifications

• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
• 80530000 - Vocational training services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Lot value (estimated)

100000 GBP Excluding VAT

120000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

18 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

12 months extension

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for

1

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded

1

Participation

Participation

Award criteria

Description

Sub-lot 3 b Homelessness Support -Flexible, holistic employment support for adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Purpose: improve stability, build confidence, and progress towards work/training without jeopardizing housing or health.

CPV classifications

• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
• 80530000 - Vocational training services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Lot value (estimated)

100000 GBP Excluding VAT

120000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

18 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

12 months extension

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for

1

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded

1

Participation

Award criteria

Description

Sub-lot 3c Homelessness Support - Flexible, holistic employment support for adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Purpose: improve stability, build confidence, and progress towards work/training without jeopardizing housing or health.

CPV classifications

• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
• 80530000 - Vocational training services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Lot value (estimated)

150000 GBP Excluding VAT

180000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

18 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

12 months extension

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for

1

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded

1

Participation

Award criteria

Description

Lot 4 Veterans Support - Targeted employment and progression support for armed forces veterans, reservists, and partners. Purpose: translate military skills into civilian careers and address service-related barriers.

CPV classifications

• 79414000 - Human resources management consultancy services
• 79600000 - Recruitment services
• 79610000 - Placement services of personnel
• 80530000 - Vocational training services

Delivery regions

• UKI62 - Croydon

Lot value (estimated)

100000 GBP Excluding VAT

120000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

19 November 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

18 November 2027, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

18 November 2028, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

12 months extension

Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for

1

Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded

1

Participation

Award criteria

Tender submission deadline

11 September 2026, 12:00PM

Enquiry deadline

27 August 2026, 17:00PM

Date of award of contract

23 October 2026, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/croydontenders/aspx/Login

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

• English