Official UK procurement notice
Connect to Work (Supported Employment) - IPS Provision in North, Mid and East Kent
Authority: Kent County Council (Local council)
Sectors: Administration, defence and social security services (75)Education & Training (80)Health & Social Care (85) Delivery: North East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)
Published estimate£15,977,975total for 3 lots · £19,173,570 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 30 Jul 2025awarded 20 Feb 2026
Awarded to The Forward Trust, The Shaw Trust Limited3 awards
Contract term 2 yrsends 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2030 with extensions · starts 1 Apr 2026
What is being bought3 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) has launched a new national supported employment programme called 'Connect to Work' (C2W). Connect to Work is a key part of the Government's new 'Get Britain Working Strategy' and its commitment to supporting the 1.8m people in the UK who would like to work but are not currently participating in the labour market.
The programme aims to support 81,000 individuals per year overall nationally. Connect to work will be delivered by 43 accountable bodies across the UK. Kent County Council (KCC) are one of 43 Accountable bodies and will be delivering the programme on behalf of Kent and Medway.
The "Connect to Work" programme is an initiative aimed at providing employment support to individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions, or other disadvantaged groups. The programme offers targeted interventions, job coaching,workplace support, and other support to ensure that individuals facing challenges can participate in and retain employment.
The majority of participants on the programme (75%) will be supported using the Individual Placement Support (IPS) fidelity model. This opportunity relates to the IPS
intervention only.
The following contract areas are included in this contract:
Lot 1 - North Kent -IPS (comprising the Gravesham and Medway districts)
Lot 2 - Mid Kent - IPS (comprising the Swale, Ashford and Canterbury districts)
Lot 3 - East Kent -IPS (comprising the Shepway, Dover and Thanet Districts)
- How the procedure runs: The Council intends to include the following stages during the procurement process: a Conditions of Participation Stage , Initial Tender Stage (ITT), Negotiation Stage (Optional), Invitation to Submit Final Tender Stage (ISFT), followed by Contract Award. Please note that this procedure is a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) under the Light Touch Regime. At this time, the Council intends to follow the stages and process outlined above. However, it reserves the right to amend the Competitive Flexible Procedure at subsequent stages of the procurement process. The Council also reserves the right to award contracts on the basis of initial tenders received. Further information can be found in the procurement documents. Any adjustments to the Competitive Flexible Procedure will be specified within the tender documents at the relevant procurement stage, and communicated via the Kent Business Portal. The Council reserves the right to amend and refine the stated award criteria at subsequent stages of the procurement process, including changes to any stated weightings. Any changes will be communicated to tenderers during the procurement process.
CPV: Education and training services · Government services · Health and social work services
Lots and requirements (3)Procurement structure
3 lots · all with a published value (£15,977,975 together) · win at most 2 of them · same conditions of participation on every lotLot #1North Kent (IPS)AwardedRenewal North East, North West +7Published value£4,657,242
The source published no individual description for this lot.
75131000 Government services80000000 Education and training services85000000 Health and social work services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
- Economic & financial standing
Please see the procurement documents for further information
- Technical & professional ability
Please see the procurement documents for further information
Lot #2Mid Kent (IPS)AwardedRenewal South EastPublished value£6,378,844
The source published no individual description for this lot.
75131000 Government services80000000 Education and training services85000000 Health and social work services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
- Economic & financial standing
Please see the procurement documents for further information
- Technical & professional ability
Please see the procurement documents for further information
Lot #3East Kent (IPS)AwardedRenewal South EastPublished value£4,941,889
The source published no individual description for this lot.
75131000 Government services80000000 Education and training services85000000 Health and social work services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
- Economic & financial standing
Please see the procurement documents for further information
- Technical & professional ability
Please see the procurement documents for further information
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
How bids were scored
Lot distribution rule: Candidates who meet the conditions of participation will be invited to bid for any of the available contract lots (tender for the opportunity. However, those who have been invited to tenderer for the opportunity will be awarded a maximum of two lots based on the submission of the most advantageous tender based on the published award criteria (for each area). A restriction to the number of lots that can be awarded to each supplier has been implemented to increase resilience within the programme.
Further Information on the lotting restrictions and award criteria will be provided within the procurement documents.
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot2
- Economic & financial standing
Please see the procurement documents for further information
- Technical & professional ability
Please see the procurement documents for further information
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 23 Feb 2026, 11:50 GMT
- Last source update
- 20 Apr 2026, 19:12 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 1 Dec 2025
- Authority reference
CN250240- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-034788- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05471bFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
Payment will be made to suppliers in accordance with the Price per Participant submitted as part of procurement process. The Price per Participant will be split into regular payments while a participant is engaged in the programme, with an enhanced payment for programme starts (20% following month one). Further information relating to the Contract payment terms can be found in Schedule 3 of the Terms and Conditions.
- How it runs
The Council intends to include the following stages during the procurement process: a Conditions of Participation Stage , Initial Tender Stage (ITT), Negotiation Stage (Optional), Invitation to Submit Final Tender Stage (ISFT), followed by Contract Award.
Please note that this procedure is a Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) under the Light Touch Regime.
At this time, the Council intends to follow the stages and process outlined above. However, it reserves the right to amend the Competitive Flexible Procedure at subsequent stages of the procurement process. The Council also reserves the right to award contracts on the basis of initial tenders received. Further information can be found in the procurement documents.
Any adjustments to the Competitive Flexible Procedure will be specified within the tender documents at the relevant procurement stage, and communicated via the Kent Business Portal.
The Council reserves the right to amend and refine the stated award criteria at subsequent stages of the procurement process, including changes to any stated weightings. Any changes will be communicated to tenderers during the procurement process.
How it was run
Official noticeRun through: ProContract (Due North) · Who buys & how to bid on ProContract
Access & registration note: Free · short registration with manual review; public opportunity list
- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 30 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 30 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 23 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release
All submissions must be submitted via the Kent Business Portal - www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk ↗. The procurement opportunity advert can be found at: procontract.due-north.com/Advert ↗
Timeline
11 Jun 2025 → 20 Apr 2026 · 10 dates- Planning notice published11 Jun 2025, 18:33 BST
- Tender notice published24 Jun 2025, 15:17 BST
- Next notice expected30 Jun 2025, 23:59 BST
- Clarification questions by23 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline30 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by322 days ago1 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent239 days ago23 Feb 2026
- Standstill ends229 days ago4 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts202 days ago1 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published183 days ago20 Apr 2026, 19:12 BST
Notice history
6 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 11 Jun 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published11 Jun 2025, 18:33 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published24 Jun 2025, 15:17 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published26 Jun 2025, 15:46 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published23 Feb 2026, 11:50 GMTUK6
- Contract signature expected5 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published20 Apr 2026, 19:12 BSTUK7
Published amendments (1)
While the estimated total contract value has not changed, the Council has corrected a discrepancy between the values of Lots 1 and 2
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecastAwards 3
Awarded value (inc. VAT) £17,449,2243 awards inc. VAT; no net value published
Bids received 2210 from SMEs
Named bidders 10published on the award notice
Contracts signed 3latest 1 Apr 2026
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · North Kent (IPS)1 award | |||
| The Forward TrustVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2030Extensions: There will be an optional extension period, up to a maximum of 2 years (24 months). This is subject to availability of funding and supplier performance during the initial contract term. · Options: The Council reserves the right to amend the service areas a supplier is delivering in, and modify these contracts to include additional participant volumes, and/or service areas (in accordance with Section 74 of the Procurement Act) in the following circumstances: • There has been a supplier failure within other lot area(s) within Kent and Medway, leading to termination or suspension of contract/services and/or reduction in participant profile or scope of the contract. • An awarded supplier has declined to deliver further services under this programme, or is unable to meet the specified participant targets within their lot area(s). • The Council terminates a Connect to work contract in line with the provisions of the terms and conditions, including but not limited to supplier insolvency or change of control. • Local government reorganisation changes to current district boundaries necessitate an amendment to existing service areas and/or participant profiles. Should additional service areas be awarded via a contract modification process, the total estimated value of this contract could range from: Lot 1 - £4,657,242 to £15,977,975 Lot 2 - £6,378,844 - £15,977,975, Lot 3 - £4,941,889 - £15,977,975 (estimated option values exclusive of VAT, based on indicative participant profiles) | £5,588,690 inc. VAT | 20 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Mid Kent (IPS)1 award | |||
| The Shaw Trust LimitedVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 5 Apr 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2030Extensions: There will be an optional extension period, up to a maximum of 2 years (24 months). This is subject to availability of funding and supplier performance during the initial contract term. · Options: The Council reserves the right to amend the service areas a supplier is delivering in, and modify these contracts to include additional participant volumes, and/or service areas (in accordance with Section 74 of the Procurement Act) in the following circumstances: • There has been a supplier failure within other lot area(s) within Kent and Medway, leading to termination or suspension of contract/services and/or reduction in participant profile or scope of the contract. • An awarded supplier has declined to deliver further services under this programme, or is unable to meet the specified participant targets within their lot area(s). • The Council terminates a Connect to work contract in line with the provisions of the terms and conditions, including but not limited to supplier insolvency or change of control. • Local government reorganisation changes to current district boundaries necessitate an amendment to existing service areas and/or participant profiles. Should additional service areas be awarded via a contract modification process, the total estimated value of this contract could range from: Lot 1 - £4,657,242 to £15,977,975 Lot 2 - £6,378,844 - £15,977,975, Lot 3 - £4,941,889 - £15,977,975 (estimated option values exclusive of VAT, based on indicative participant profiles) | £5,930,267 inc. VAT | 20 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · East Kent (IPS)1 award | |||
| The Forward TrustVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2030Extensions: There will be an optional extension period, up to a maximum of 2 years (24 months). This is subject to availability of funding and supplier performance during the initial contract term. · Options: The Council reserves the right to amend the service areas a supplier is delivering in, and modify these contracts to include additional participant volumes, and/or service areas (in accordance with Section 74 of the Procurement Act) in the following circumstances: • There has been a supplier failure within other lot area(s) within Kent and Medway, leading to termination or suspension of contract/services and/or reduction in participant profile or scope of the contract. • An awarded supplier has declined to deliver further services under this programme, or is unable to meet the specified participant targets within their lot area(s). • The Council terminates a Connect to work contract in line with the provisions of the terms and conditions, including but not limited to supplier insolvency or change of control. • Local government reorganisation changes to current district boundaries necessitate an amendment to existing service areas and/or participant profiles. Should additional service areas be awarded via a contract modification process, the total estimated value of this contract could range from: Lot 1 - £4,657,242 to £15,977,975 Lot 2 - £6,378,844 - £15,977,975, Lot 3 - £4,941,889 - £15,977,975 (estimated option values exclusive of VAT, based on indicative participant profiles) | £5,930,267 inc. VAT | 20 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
Lot 2 - Mid Kent IPS · The Shaw Trust LimitedVCSE
- Signed
- 1 Apr 2026
- Value
- £7,654,613 inc. VAT
- Period
- 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2030 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There will be an optional extension period, up to a maximum of 2 years (24 months). This is subject to availability of funding and supplier performance during the initial contract term.
- Options
- The Council reserves the right to amend the service areas a supplier is delivering in, and modify these contracts to include additional participant volumes, and/or service areas (in accordance with Section 74 of the Procurement Act) in the following circumstances: • There has been a supplier failure within other lot area(s) within Kent and Medway, leading to termination or suspension of contract/services and/or reduction in participant profile or scope of the contract. • An awarded supplier has declined to deliver further services under this programme, or is unable to meet the specified participant targets within their lot area(s). • The Council terminates a Connect to work contract in line with the provisions of the terms and conditions, including but not limited to supplier insolvency or change of control. • Local government reorganisation changes to current district boundaries necessitate an amendment to existing service areas and/or participant profiles. •Additional funding is granted by The Department of Work and Pensions. Should additional service areas be awarded via a contract modification process, the total estimated value of this contract could range from: Lot 1 - £4,657,242 to £15,977,975 Lot 2 - £6,378,844 - £15,977,975, Lot 3 - £4,941,889 - £15,977,975 (estimated option values exclusive of VAT, based on indicative participant profiles)
3 agreed KPIs: Job Starts · Outcomes (in work participants) · Outcomes (out of work participants)
- Job Starts
- Outcomes (in work participants)
- Outcomes (out of work participants)
East Kent · The Forward TrustVCSE
- Signed
- 1 Apr 2026
- Value
- £5,930,267 inc. VAT
- Period
- 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2030 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There will be an optional extension period, up to a maximum of 2 years (24 months). This is subject to availability of funding and supplier performance during the initial contract term.
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. The Council reserves the right to amend the service areas a supplier is delivering in, and modify these contracts to include additional participant volumes, and/or service areas (in accordance with Section 74 of the Procurement Act) in the following circumstances: • There has been a supplier failure within other lot area(s) within Kent and Medway, leading to termination or suspension of contract/services and/or reduction in participant profile or scope of the contract. • An awarded supplier has declined to deliver further services under this programme, or is unable to meet the specified participant targets within their lot area(s). • The Council terminates a Connect to work contract in line with the provisions of the terms and conditions, including but not limited to supplier insolvency or change of control. • Local government reorganisation changes to current district boundaries necessitate an amendment to existing service areas and/or participant profiles. •Additional funding is granted by The Department of Work and Pensions. Should additional service areas be awarded via a contract modification process, the total estimated value of this contract could range from: Lot 1 - £4,657,242 to £15,977,975 Lot 2 - £6,378,844 - £15,977,975, Lot 3 - £4,941,889 - £15,977,975 (estimated option values exclusive of VAT, based on indicative participant profiles)
3 agreed KPIs: Job Starts · Outcomes (in work participants) · Outcomes (out of work participants)
- Job Starts
- Outcomes (in work participants)
- Outcomes (out of work participants)
North Kent (IPS) · The Forward TrustVCSE
- Signed
- 24 Mar 2026
- Value
- £5,588,690 inc. VAT
- Period
- 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2028 · up to 31 Mar 2030 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- There will be an optional extension period, up to a maximum of 2 years (24 months). This is subject to availability of funding and supplier performance during the initial contract term.
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. The Council reserves the right to amend the service areas a supplier is delivering in, and modify these contracts to include additional participant volumes, and/or service areas (in accordance with Section 74 of the Procurement Act) in the following circumstances: • There has been a supplier failure within other lot area(s) within Kent and Medway, leading to termination or suspension of contract/services and/or reduction in participant profile or scope of the contract. • An awarded supplier has declined to deliver further services under this programme, or is unable to meet the specified participant targets within their lot area(s). • The Council terminates a Connect to work contract in line with the provisions of the terms and conditions, including but not limited to supplier insolvency or change of control. • Local government reorganisation changes to current district boundaries necessitate an amendment to existing service areas and/or participant profiles. •Further funding is made available by DWP. Should additional service areas be awarded via a contract modification process, the total estimated value of this contract could range from: Lot 1 - £4,657,242 to £15,977,975 Lot 2- £6,378,844 - £15,977,975 Lot 3 - £4,941,889 - £15,977,975 (estimated option values exclusive of VAT, based on indicative participant profiles)
3 agreed KPIs: Job Starts · Outcomes (in work participants) · Outcomes (out of work participants)
- Job Starts
- Outcomes (in work participants)
- Outcomes (out of work participants)
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · North Kent (IPS) | 9final-stage tenders | 4 | 3 | — |
| 2 · Mid Kent (IPS) | 6final-stage tenders | 3 | 2 | — |
| 3 · East Kent (IPS) | 7final-stage tenders | 3 | 3 | — |
Who bid
- wonTHE FORWARD TRUSTVCSE · Greater London · 1, 3
- wonSHAW TRUST LIMITED(THE)VCSE · West Midlands · all lots
- did not winCXKSMEVCSE · South East England · all lots
- did not winFEDCAP EMPLOYMENT LIMITED · North East England · all lots
- did not winGET SKILLS EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING LTDSME · Greater London · all lots
- did not winReed in Partnership Limited · Greater London · 1
- did not winRUNWAY APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITEDSME · South East England · all lots
- did not winSTANDGUIDE LIMITED · North West England · 1
- did not winTWIN TRAINING INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDSME · Greater London · 1
- did not winPEOPLEPLUS GROUP LIMITED · South West England · 2, 3
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
10 commercial parties on the notice · 2 awarded- CXKBidder / tenderer
- FEDCAP EMPLOYMENT LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- GET SKILLS EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING LTDBidder / tenderer
- PEOPLEPLUS GROUP LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- RUNWAY APPRENTICESHIPS LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- Reed in Partnership LimitedBidder / tenderer
- SHAW TRUST LIMITED(THE)Awarded supplier
- STANDGUIDE LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- THE FORWARD TRUSTAwarded supplier
- TWIN TRAINING INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
Official documents & specifications (13)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Signed contract
- Bidding documents and specificationsAll tender documents can be accessed via the Council's eTendering portal. Please go to www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk. If you are already registered on a Proactis eTendering portal, you will not need to re-register.
- Signed contract Lot 2 Mid Kent IPS
- Signed contract
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender