Tender: Manchester Worklessness Programme — Supported Employment & Early Employment Support Service (26‑month contract, £1m guaranteed, up to £4m)

About

Manchester City Council is seeking a supplier to deliver the Manchester Worklessness Programme, providing Supported Employment and a wider early/medium-intervention Employment Support Service to reduce barriers to employment, engage residents not in work, support people at risk of leaving work due to health conditions or disabilities, and engage employers to provide meaningful opportunities. The service will operate a keyworker model offering culturally competent, multidisciplinary and holistic support, working with external partners where required to deliver specialist interventions (including mental health, wellbeing and English language support), acting as a triage and referral hub into the local work and health system, and working closely with grassroots organisations to deliver an integrated local offer. The initial contract term is 26 months with an intended start date of 01 February 2027 and a possible 12‑month extension; the Council currently has approved funding of approximately £1 million for the initial requirements and may, subject to approvals, increase the total estimated maximum contract value to approximately £4 million. Applications are invited from organisations or consortia with relevant experience and sufficient capacity; the contract is expected to be awarded to one lead provider or consortium.