Working Well Expansion Programme

The expansion of Working Well is a central pillar of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) devolution agreement with Central Government. The ambition of the devolution agreement is to achieve better outcomes for residents by securing significant influence, and ultimately control, over public spending in Greater Manchester (GM). The agreement was made on the condition that the GMCA will adopt a mayoral model of governance. The benefits of the agreement cover a range of thematic areas including investment funds; transport; business support; housing; and planning. The specific elements of the devolution agreement that are relevant to this tender exercise are:- a) An expanded Working Well programme, ultimately supporting 50,000 people to progress towards employment. Building on the existing programme, Working Well will provide participants with integrated, intensive support. b) A co-commissioned Work Programme. GM will commission, jointly with DWP, Work Programme provision that draws on and complements Working Well expansion, a reformed post 19 skills landscape and broader employment and skills reform. c) A reshaped FE post 19 skills system. GM will incentivise skills providers to focus on meeting the needs of defined GM priority groups, ensuring the right support is in place to move people on to employment or to continue in education. d) A reformed approach to delivering the AGE Grant. Ensuring the use of the grant is aligned with broader support for GM residents and the priority growth sectors across GM. e) Alignment of Skills Capital. Ensuring GM has the infrastructure that supports the delivery of a reformed employment and skills landscape. In addition to supporting residents into employment, Working Well Expansion will support those in low paid or insecure employment to progress to higher skilled and higher paid jobs. Greater Manchester has low levels of productivity compared with London, and a key outcome of Working Well is to increase productivity levels and reduce dependency of those in work who continue to rely on benefits such as Working Tax Credits. The Working Well Expansion will consist of three separate elements: personalised support (which this tender pertains to); the Mental Health Therapeutic Interventions tender; and the Skills for Employment tender. It is envisaged that these elements will begin delivery at the same time and they will work together and integrate with other local services, to provide a holistic approach to moving people into sustainable employment. The personalised support is the linchpin of the Working Well Expansion programme and all clients will be supported through this service. Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council is acting as the procurer on behalf of the GMCA to appoint a provider/s. The programme will be delivered across all ten Local Authority areas of GM: Bolton Bury Manchester Oldham Rochdale Salford Stockport Tameside Trafford Wigan The contract will be awarded based on two areas (or ‘lots’) which are as follows: Lot One: Manchester, Salford, Trafford Lot Two: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Wigan

he expansion of Working Well is a central pillar of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) devolution agreement with Central Government. The ambition of the devolution agreement is to achieve better outcomes for residents by securing significant influence, and ultimately control, over public spending in Greater Manchester (GM). The agreement was made on the condition that the GMCA will adopt a mayoral model of governance. The benefits of the agreement cover a range of thematic areas including investment funds; transport; business support; housing; and planning. The contract for the WWE started in March 2016 and was due to complete in 2020. There are two providers, Ingeus and the Work Company (part of MGC) covering separate local authority areas. The provision is funded by DWP and the ESF and the original contract was expected to attach 10,500 clients to the programme. This figure has not been realised which has resulted in an under-spend that can be carried forward to expand the referral period. Trafford Council on behalf of the GMCA has secured ESF funding to support referrals onto the Working Well Expansion Programme for up to an additional nine months (1st April 2017 - 31st December 2017). ESF funding increases the maximum value of contracted provision for the programme from £10.7m to £14.8m. The will result in the Providers contract term being extended for an additional nine months.