Connect to Work (Lot 3)
Overview
Summary, notice description and lot information
Devon County Council leads the procurement initiative titled "Connect to Work (Lot 3)" under a direct award system. With the programme grant funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), this initiative targets economic inactivity and employment risk among persons with disabilities or other priority audiences. The procurement process, currently within the award stage, focuses on delivering Improved Placement and Support (IPS) services in Teignbridge, South Hams, and West Devon.
The contract starts on 15th January 2026 and extends for a year, with a potential one-year renewal based on performance. Businesses interested in health, social work, and education service sectors can benefit from this opportunity, with a gross contract value of £679,320. Crystal Pathways Ltd has been selected as the supplier for delivering the services.
The initiative adheres to the Procurement Regulations Act 2023, ensuring compliance and accessibility for SMEs and VCSEs. This tender provides various avenues for businesses in job search services, education, training, health, and social work sectors, promoting inclusion in the open labour market. Designed to utilise Fidelity Models, the initiative integrates employment support with health services.
Ideal candidates are those capable of providing comprehensive tailored employment support, as well as businesses with experience in working with disadvantaged individuals, especially those with mild to moderate mental health conditions. SMEs and enterprises aligned with service delivery through a Supported Employment model may find substantial growth opportunities, enhancing community support and employment sustainment for the target audience.
Connect to Work is a DWP programme grant funded through DCC as the lead accountable body on behalf of Torbay, Plymouth and Devon. The Programme requires the delivery to the following persons with social disability or other priority audiences who are: * Economically inactive or unemployed: Person has not worked for around 6 months due to their disability, long term health condition or disadvantages and feel they need comprehensive tailored employment support to help them to identify the right roles for their needs and to engage in effective job search towards work. * Employed but risk of dropping out of work: Person is working/Self-employed for at least 3 months and is struggling to sustain employment due to their disability, long term health condition or disadvantages. However, it is acceptable to offer support to individuals who have been employed for shorter periods where the Accountable Body judges that would be appropriate. * Maintaining work: Person has never been in employment or a track record of struggling to retain jobs/sustain employment due to their disability, long term health condition or disadvantages The programme is delivered through a Supported Employment model - a place train and maintain model delivered through a five-stage process.
There are two approaches, both using recognised international standards (Fidelity Models) and both using the principles that participants are employed in the Open Labour Market, it being Paid Work with Ongoing Support provided. * IPS integrates employment support alongside primary and secondary health services, and other support services. This integration ideally occurs at a physical level, through co-location and other policies, where applicable. IPS has been successfully utilised within the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) programme to support individuals with mild to moderate mental health and/or physical health conditions.
Universal Support will utilise and expand on the approach taken with IPSPC. Whilst Universal Support will complement IPS Severe Mental Illness and IPS Alcohol and Drugs, these will remain separate IPS services. * SEQF is (as required) a more in-depth intervention than the form of IPS used for Universal Support. SEQF is oriented most usually around supporting learning disabled and/or autistic adults as well as others with complex support needs where clinical integration is not needed or appropriate.
Lot 3 is for IPS services delivered in Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon.
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The contract period is one year.
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