Tender

The Department for Education has published details of engagement on a tender exercise for a programme to strengthen the delivery of Supported Internships. Supported Internships (SIs) are a work-based study programme for 16-24 year olds with SEND who have an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan, who want to move into employment and who need extra support to do so. SIs are designed to equip young people with the skills they need to secure and sustain employment through learning in the workplace.

The DfE is considering its commissioning approach for the delivery of the 'Strengthening the Supported Internships Programme' contract. We want to build the capacity of the programme and are aiming to double the number of SIs from c.2,250 internship enrolments per annum to c.4,500 per annum by 2025. We anticipate awarding contracts up to a total maximum value of £8,000,000 including VAT:

Hampshire County Council is to re-tender its Supported Employment Services. The Service will be a continuation of over 20 years investment by the Council in Supported Employment, with the current contract that was awarded in 2015 expiring in January 2022. In order to tender for this, you will need to be registered with the Hampshire Procurement Framework Hampshire Accommodation and Support Options Model (HADSOM).

The Education and Training Foundation (ETF) is tendering for six new providers to become mini-hubs for best practice around engaging with employers. The hubs will work with the three existing centres of Excellence; Derby College, Weston College and City College Norwich to develop best practice in engaging employers. 

The invitation to tender goes out on May 21 and £30,000 will be available to each provider, who will need to be Ofsted grade 2 or above and working in the north-west, north-east, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, London or the south-east.