Suffolk Wide Skills and Employment Programme

Tender description

Suffolk-Wide Skills and Employment Programme - With the closure of European Social Fund projects and the increasing need for supporting local people into work, or progressing in their careers, using funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Suffolk County Council (SCC) have been commissioned by Suffolk District and Borough Councils (Babergh District Council, East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council and West Suffolk Council) to appoint a Single Service Delivery Provider or Group with a ‘Lead Operator’ to deliver employment and skills support to those who need support to get back into/or progress in work. Procurement Policy Note 09/21 requires us to calculate the value of contracts inclusive of VAT, however we can advertise them exclusive of VAT. The advertised value here is £2,060,000 exclusive of VAT. This open procurement with negotiation complies with the Light Touch regime under the PCR15. Lot Lot 1: Lot 1 – Youth Project 16 – 24 years old The service will provide intensive & flexible 1 to 1 support for young people aged 16-24, who are facing multiple and/or significant barriers. Focussing primarily on those who are NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training); the service will support individuals to address barriers, develop ‘soft’ skills, ‘hard’ skills, and gain basic qualifications. ‘Personal development leads’ will support the customer through an individual journey of development appropriate to their needs by utilising existing or new personal support, skills programmes, and other activities. Lot Lot 2: Lot 2 - Adult Project 18+ We are looking to procure a service that will offer flexible and personalised support to Suffolk residents and local businesses – to cover the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. We would like to see a multi-stranded approach, which can work with individuals aged 18 or over who may be economically inactive or employed. The activity should include an initial assessment and a formal plan of action, which will signpost to other existing provision and include appropriate interventions/activities funded directly by this project. We are looking for one lead supplier but expect the lead supplier to subcontract (although this isn’t essential) or work in partnership with a range of VCFSE Organisations and Providers from across the County to ensure that their specialist provision is utilised, and a community-based approach assured. We also anticipate the supplier will have knowledge of existing providers and signpost to other funded services as relevant to ensure best use of funding and to reduce duplication.