Supported Employment Services

Procurement reference

DN773576

Procurement description

Dorset Council is seeking a single supplier to deliver a Dorset Supported Employment Service which supports Care Act eligible people living with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities seeking employment and voluntary opportunities and supporting them to achieve economic wellbeing and social inclusion whilst maximising their potential as a person living in Dorset.

The service will be for adults 16yrs+ and will be able to support young people as they enter adulthood, allowing them the opportunity to receive support to achieve their own employment goals.

This is separate to the Connect to Work programme, however there will be a direct interface. See specification for more details.

A Preliminary Market Engagement Event was held on 09 July 2025 in relation to this procurement.

This is an open procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. The procedure does not allow for refining of the award criteria, and there is no scope to negotiate.

In accordance with Section 18 of the Procurement Act 2023, the use of lots was considered during the planning phase of this procurement and it was determined that dividing the requirement into lots would not be appropriate or beneficial in this instance. Therefore, a single contract approach has been adopted.

The Contract will be for an initial 2 years, with three optional 12-month extension periods (1+1+1), subject to satisfactory performance and funding, giving a potential total contract period of 5 years.

The estimated annual contract value is £180,000 with a total contract value of £900,000 if all extensions are taken. The current funding available is £160,000, with the additional £20,000 subject to grant funding. The budget of up to £180,000 is not guaranteed and is subject to fluctuations. Please note, these figures are exclusive of VAT. The contracting authority reserves the right to use additional funding received under this contract, subject to availability should funds become available during the term.

The contracting authority reserves the right to carry out a subsequent procurement of similar goods, services or works in reliance on the direct award justification in paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKK25 - Dorset

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

900000 GBP to 900000GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM to 31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 March 2031

Dorset Council

Procedure type

Open procedure

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Trade agreements

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

CPV classifications

• 80400000 - Adult and other education services
• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Delivery regions

• UKK25 - Dorset

Lot value (estimated)

900000 GBP Excluding VAT

1080000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2028, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 March 2031, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Description of extensions

The Contract will be for an initial 2 years, with three optional 12-month extension periods (1+1+1), subject to satisfactory performance and funding, giving a potential total contract period of 5 years.

Does the lot include options?

Yes

Description of options

The contracting authority reserves the right to extend or renew the term of the contract as stated above.

The contracting authority reserves the right to additional goods, services, or works while the contract is valid.

The Contracting Authority reserves the right to modify this contract during its term in accordance with Section 74(1)(a) and Paragraph 1 of Schedule 8 of the Procurement Act 2023.

These modifications may include:

• Adjustments to service volumes, or delivery locations within Dorset where they are necessary to respond to changes in funding, policy or service demand.

• Changes to funding levels, including application of grant funding or budget reductions.

• Further extensions (both for time and value), subject to performance and funding availability alongside governance approvals which might be necessary to respond to changes in funding, policy, or service demand.

• Extension of the contract term beyond the 10 per cent provided in Section 74(3)a

• Inclusion of additional supported employment needs, provided they fall within the broad scope of the original specification

Any modification made under this clause will be documented and, where required, published.

The contracting authority also reserves the right to carry out a subsequent procurement of similar goods, services or works in reliance on the direct award justification in paragraph 8 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023.

Participation

Award criteria

Payment terms

The Contracting Authority is required to make payments against valid, non-disputed invoices within a maximum of 30-days, as per Section 68 of the Procurement Act 2023.

Description of risks to contract performance

The Contracting Authority considers that the following known risks may jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the contract, but due to the nature of the risks, are unable to be addressed in the contract as awarded:

• Implementation of the Connect to Work Programme and the implications of two supported employment services* running in the Dorset Council area (*although these services are different).

• Fluctuations in funding - such as reductions or additions in budget allocations as part of the Council's budget setting processes, or as a consequence of additional funding streams which were unknown at the time of awarding the contract, but which are provided to increase the volume and scope of services delivered.

• Unexpected events such as War, pandemics or other unforeseen events may disrupt supported employment arrangements.

• The changing needs and requirements of the Council and the changing demands placed on the Council by its customers. Changes in the supported employee’s physical or mental health may impact their ability to work, and the contract cannot guarantee ongoing motivation or engagement from the customers.

• Changes in legislation or national guidance may alter the obligations or feasibility of the arrangement.

Following the identification of the above known risks, the Contracting Authority reserves the right to modify the contract during the term of the contract in accordance with Schedule 8, Paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.