Connect to Work Programme

Buckinghamshire Council is excited to announce an incredible opportunity to partner with us on the Connect to Work programme. This initiative aims to break down barriers to employment and provide sustainable job opportunities for individuals with complex needs. By joining forces with us, you'll not only help transform lives but also contribute to the growth and productivity of our local economy. What is Connect to Work? -The Get Britain Working White Paper, released in November 2024, introduced the key supported employment programme, which aims to help eligible individuals secure sustainable, long-term employment. Currently, it is estimated that there are about 3million economically inactive people in the UK, of whom 1.9million people would like to work, but require support to do so. In 2023, 9,600 Buckinghamshire residents were economically inactive and wished to work but required support to do so. Buckinghamshire Council expects to support 720 individuals (at the peak) at an anticipated cost of up to £2.5million in the peak year, delivered over an initial three-year period, with the opportunity to extend to 5 years. It will help connect local work, health and skills support and help eligible participants to secure sustainable work through a voluntary supported employment model, adhering to Individual Placement & Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) frameworks. Through this, the programme will expand the use of the proven five stage Supported Employment model of 'place, train and maintain'. How will it be managed and delivered?- Buckinghamshire Council is the Accountable Body. Working with the Department for Work and Pensions, Buckinghamshire Council will oversee the programme including procuring and managing delivery partner(s) to provide sufficient high-quality support to participants and employers to make the programme a success. Our ambition is to deliver this programme in partnership with one or more high-quality provider(s), who are able to meet set targets for supporting economically inactive adults in Buckinghamshire into work. We are looking for delivery partner(s) with considerable and demonstrable experience of providing supported employment programmes which deliver to both individuals with complex barriers, and employers who will provide the sustainable jobs. All partner(s) that succeed in the selection process, must either already deliver IPS and SEQF, have robust training plans or intend to deliver both models in a consortium or subcontracting model which is clearly demonstrated in the application. process. Further, the successful bidders must show developed relationships with employers within Buckinghamshire (or a commutable distance given the target audience) with the ability to identify employment opportunities and support employers to provide successful, sustainable job outcomes.