Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bde-321b-723b-9ce6-7384b43074dc/connect-to-work pending GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Connect to Work [Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council](https://tendernation.io/buyers/blaenau-gwent-county-borough-council) Estimated value £1,600,000 Published 13 May 2026 Deadline Rolling deadline ## Who can bid - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Buyer says suitable for VCSEs The buyer ticked “suitable for voluntary, community and social enterprises” on the notice. - Below-threshold contract Buyers cannot shortlist bidders on suitability before tenders are in, so everyone gets to submit a bid (except some larger works contracts). [Procurement Act 2023, section 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/85) - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Torfaen Council (BGCBC and TC) are seeking to engage with the market ahead of a planned commissioning exercise to deliver the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) model as part of the UK Government’s DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) Connect to Work programme. Connect to Work is a voluntary supported employment programme delivered across England and Wales, designed to support disabled people, individuals with health conditions, and people facing complex barriers who are currently outside the labour market and experiencing ‘Hidden Unemployment’, to find and sustain meaningful employment. \[gov.uk\] The programme forms a key component of the Government’s Get Britain Working Strategy, targeting economic inactivity by offering tailored, intensive, and high-quality employment support at the right time for the right participants. \[gov.uk\] Participants of the programme must be working-age, eligible, and suitable for the provision. Connect to Work delivers the evidence-based “place, train, and maintain” Supported Employment model. The Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) is designed to support individuals facing complex barriers, disabilities, long-term health conditions, social, emotional, or environmental barriers. Providers must deliver: - High-fidelity Supported Employment aligned with SEQF standards - A “place, train, and maintain” model of support - Intensive one-to-one employment guidance - Vocational profiling and personalised employment planning - Job matching and targeted employer engagement - On- and off-the-job support, including in-work progression coaching - A personalised, strengths-based participant journey - Close integration with community support services to sustain outcomes All Connect to Work delivery partners must adhere to SEQF fidelity scales and participate fully in the DWP-led Fidelity Assurance System. Delivery Partners will be required to undertake fidelity audits, quality checks, and performance reviews, ensuring consistent and evidence-based practice. The value of this tender will be approximate £1,600,000 over the course of the contract; Please note that, due to the required timescales for the successful provider to mobilise and begin delivery, the Year 1 allocation of funds is expected to be slightly lower. Funding will be issued on a yearly basis, with annual allocations confirmed in line with programme requirements, performance, and governance arrangements. It is anticipated that the contract commencement date is 01 September 2026 for a period of three (3) years and six (6) months – contract period will be confirmed in the tender documents. Please note - this is an indicative specification and could change when the tender is released Read full description ## CPV classification Training programme services Guidance and counselling services Guidance services Counselling services Vocational rehabilitation services Rehabilitation services Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice ocds-h6vhtk-0696d2-2026-05-13T13:43:36+01:00 [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/ocds-h6vhtk-0696d2-2026-05-13T13:43:36+01:00) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. 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