Official UK procurement notice
Connect to Work Programme · Hartlepool Borough Council (Nov 2025)
Authority: Hartlepool Borough Council (Local council)·Consortium: 5 public authorities
What is being bought4 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionHartlepool Borough Council (the Council) has been appointed as the Lead Body by Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) for the Connect to Work Programme. As such, the Council is responsible for ensuring successful management and delivery of the programme across Tees Valley. Connect to Work is a voluntary local support employment programme launched by the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) and funded by the UK Government. The contract will provide support disabled people, people with health conditions and individuals with complex barriers to move into and maintain employment.
The delivery has been split into 4 Lots, and the Council are seeking to contract with a single Lead Provider for each Lot.
Lot 1 - Tees Valley (SEQF (Supported Employment Quality Framework) Only)
To commission a Lead Provider for the delivery of high-quality Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) provision across the whole of Tees Valley - Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, and Stockton‑on‑Tees. This focuses on supporting disabled people, those with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment to find sustainable work. The Lead Provider will build and manage a strong consortium, ensuring consistent high-quality delivery, fidelity to the SEQF model, and effective engagement. With 502 expected starts, this Lot represents the SEQF element of the Tees Valley Connect to Work Programme.
Lot 2 - Darlington & Stockton‑on‑Tees (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)
To commission a Lead Provider to deliver Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services within Darlington and Stockton‑on‑Tees. This will target eligible individuals who require intensive, personalised employment support so they can progress into sustainable work. Delivery must follow the nationally recognised IPS model, with a strong focus on rapid job search, integrated support, and in‑work retention. The Lead Provider will build and manage a strong consortium, ensuring consistent high-quality delivery, and effective engagement. With 452 expected starts, this Lot represents a key element of the Tees Valley Connect to Work Programme.
Lot 3 - Middlesbrough & Redcar & Cleveland (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)
To commission a Lead Provider to deliver Individual Placement & Support (IPS) services within Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland. This will target eligible individuals who require intensive, personalised employment support so they can progress into sustainable work. Delivery must follow the nationally recognised IPS model, with a strong focus on rapid job search, integrated support, and in‑work retention. The Lead Provider will build and manage a strong consortium, ensuring consistent high-quality delivery, and effective engagement. With 752 expected starts, this Lot represents a key element of the Tees Valley Connect to Work Programme.
Lot 4 - Hartlepool (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)
To commission a Lead Provider to deliver Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services within Hartlepool. This will target eligible individuals who require intensive, personalised employment support so they can progress into sustainable work. Delivery must follow the nationally recognised IPS model, with a strong focus on rapid job search, integrated support, and in‑work retention. The Lead Provider will build and manage a strong consortium, ensuring consistent high-quality delivery, and effective engagement. With 302 expected starts, this Lot represents a key element of the Tees Valley Connect to Work Programme.
CPV: Education and training services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Framework period
- 2 yrs · up to 4 yrs from 19 May 2026
Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure
4 lots · all with a published valueLot #1Supported Employment Quality (SEQF) Tees ValleyCancelledRenewalPublished value£1,957,800
This seeks to commission a Lead Provider for the delivery of high-quality Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) provision across the whole of Tees Valley - Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, and Stockton‑on‑Tees. This focuses on supporting disabled people, those with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment to find sustainable work. The Lead Provider will build and manage a strong consortium, ensuring consistent high-quality delivery, fidelity to the SEQF model, and effective engagement. With 502 expected starts, this Lot represents the SEQF element of the Tees Valley Connect to Work Programme.
Lot #2Darlington & Stockton‑on‑Tees (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)CancelledRenewalPublished value£1,130,000
This seeks to commission a Lead Provider to deliver Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services within Darlington and Stockton‑on‑Tees. This will target eligible individuals who require intensive, personalised employment support so they can progress into sustainable work. Delivery must follow the nationally recognised IPS model, with a strong focus on rapid job search, integrated support, and in‑work retention. The Lead Provider will build and manage a strong consortium, ensuring consistent high-quality delivery, and effective engagement. With 452 expected starts, this Lot represents a key element of the Tees Valley Connect to Work Programme.
Lot #3Middlesbrough & Redcar & Cleveland (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)CancelledRenewalPublished value£1,880,000
This seeks to commission a Lead Provider to deliver Individual Placement & Support (IPS) services within Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland. This will target eligible individuals who require intensive, personalised employment support so they can progress into sustainable work. Delivery must follow the nationally recognised IPS model, with a strong focus on rapid job search, integrated support, and in‑work retention. The Lead Provider will build and manage a strong consortium, ensuring consistent high-quality delivery, and effective engagement. With 752 expected starts, this Lot represents a key element of the Tees Valley Connect to Work Programme.
Lot #4Hartlepool (IPS - Individual Placement and Support Only)CancelledRenewalPublished value£755,000
This seeks to commission a Lead Provider to deliver Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services within Hartlepool. This will target eligible individuals who require intensive, personalised employment support so they can progress into sustainable work. Delivery must follow the nationally recognised IPS model, with a strong focus on rapid job search, integrated support, and in‑work retention. The Lead Provider will build and manage a strong consortium, ensuring consistent high-quality delivery, and effective engagement. With 302 expected starts, this Lot represents a key element of the Tees Valley Connect to Work Programme
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).
- “Connect to Work Programme” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Cancelled
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 4 Nov 2025, 14:35 GMT
- Last source update
- 14 Apr 2026, 10:56 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 11 May 2026
- Authority reference
OPEN20251925- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-021786- Latest notice
- Procurement termination notice (UK12)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05da00Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 16 Apr 2026, 14:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 13 Apr 2026, 14:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
4 Nov 2025 → 19 May 2026 · 8 dates- Planning notice published357 days ago4 Nov 2025, 14:35 GMT
- Market engagement348 days ago12 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
Date/Time of event - Nov 12 from 9:30am to 11:30am GMT
Location - Trinity Centre, Market Place, North Ormesby Middlesbrough TS3 6LD
Please find the eventbrite link: teesvalleyconnecttowork.eventbrite.com ↗
- Tender notice published230 days ago11 Mar 2026, 13:52 GMT
- Clarification questions by197 days ago13 Apr 2026, 14:00 BST
- Latest notice published196 days ago14 Apr 2026, 10:56 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends194 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown16 Apr 2026, 14:00 BST
- Award decision expected by168 days ago11 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts161 days ago19 May 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
10 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 4 Nov 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published4 Nov 2025, 14:35 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published11 Mar 2026, 13:52 GMTUK4
- Published value updated11 Mar 2026, 13:52 GMT
- Status changed to active11 Mar 2026, 13:52 GMT
- Procurement method changed11 Mar 2026, 13:52 GMT
- Deadline published: 14 Apr 2026, 14:00 BST11 Mar 2026, 13:52 GMT
- Tender notice published24 Mar 2026, 11:49 GMTUK4
- Deadline moved to 16 Apr 2026, 14:00 BST24 Mar 2026, 11:49 GMT+2 days · was 14 Apr 2026, 14:00 BST
- Procurement termination notice published14 Apr 2026, 10:56 BSTUK12
- Status changed to cancelled14 Apr 2026, 10:56 BST
Published amendments (1)
Extended tender close / deadline from 14.04.26 to 16.04.26 at 14:00 Amended clarification question deadline from 09.04.26 to 13.04.26 at 14:00
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-11: 1 release · 4 Nov 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Across several lots1 award | |||
| supplier not published | — | 13 Apr 2026 | CancelledIssue with funding stream. |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
5 public bodies on the noticeConsortium members and other public bodies
- Darlington Borough CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
- Middlesbrough CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
- Redcar and Cleveland Borough CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
- Stockton on Tees Borough CouncilContracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Procurement termination notice Procurement termination 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