Connect to Work – Local Commissioning

The London Borough of Lambeth is seeking up to four local providers to deliver Supported Employment provision through its Connect to Work – Local Commissioning contract.

The service will use the targeted Individual Placement and Support (IPS) ‘Place and Train’ model, designed to help people move rapidly into employment before providing ongoing support to both the individual and their employer.

Successful providers will be expected to provide 12 months of ongoing support to help individuals sustain employment.

The procurement is divided into four lots, covering integrated welfare, benefits and employment support alongside community innovation and specialist delivery.

The contract is expected to commence on 1 January 2027 and initially run until 31 December 2028. Lambeth Council will have the option to extend the arrangement once for a further two years, providing a maximum potential contract period of four years.

Lots Available

The procurement has been divided into four lots:

• Lot 1 – Integrated welfare, benefits and employment support
• Lot 2 – Community innovation and specialist delivery
• Lot 3 – Community innovation and specialist delivery
• Lot 4 – Community innovation and specialist delivery

Further individual descriptions of Lots 2–4 are Not disclosed in the supplied notice.

Contract Information

• Buyer: London Borough of Lambeth
• Deadline: 25th Sep 2026 12:00
• Contract Value: £1,111,250 excluding VAT
• Delivery Length: 2 years with the option for a further 2-year extension
• Tender Link: Lambeth Council e-tendering portal
• Reference: 18

The deadline for procurement enquiries is 11 September 2026 at 11:00pm.

The estimated award decision date is 19 November 2026.

The opportunity has been identified as particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).

Evaluation Criteria

Tenders will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Service delivery model and approach – 30%
• Experience and track record in supported employment – 25%
• Price – 20%
• Partnership working and integration with local services – 10%
• Approach to equality, diversity and inclusion – 5%
• Monitoring, reporting and continuous improvement – 5%
• Staffing, training and supervision – 5%

Quality-related criteria collectively account for 80% of the evaluation, with price representing the remaining 20%.

Service Delivery

The commissioned service will focus on Supported Employment using the IPS ‘Place and Train’ approach.

The model is intended to support people into employment quickly, rather than requiring lengthy pre-employment preparation, with ongoing assistance subsequently provided to help sustain the employment arrangement.

Providers will also be expected to work alongside employers, with support available to both the employer and the individual for 12 months.

The procurement includes services relating to community health, social and personal services, welfare services for disabled people, welfare services for children and young people, and wider social services.

The opportunity provides local employment and community organisations with the potential to support Lambeth residents into sustainable employment through targeted, specialist provision, while creating opportunities for SMEs and VCSE organisations to participate in the Council’s employment support programme.

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