Connect to Work (Greater Essex)

Essex County Council, as the accountable body, is looking for a provider to assist in delivering the Connect to Work programme across Greater Essex. The Government's "Get Britain Working" White Paper sets out the Government's intention to devolve funding for supported employment, including the Connect to Work Programme. Connect to Work aims to help connect local work, health and skills support and help eligible participants to secure sustainable work through a voluntary supported employment model, observing to Individual Placement & Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) frameworks. Through this, Connect to Work will expand the use of the proven five stage Supported Employment model of 'place, train and maintain'. Essex County Council is looking for a Provider that will develop and lead a supply chain of specialist organisations with a track record of successfully working and building trusted relationships with our prioritised cohorts. The successful bidder must be able to demonstrate a track record in delivering supported employment programmes, specifically through the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) models. Delivery must align with national best practice and local commissioning priorities, ensuring high fidelity to both models.