Employment Readiness and Progression Support Service - Portsmouth 2026

Buyer
Portsmouth City Council
Value
£470,000
Closes
3 December 2026
Where
Portsmouth, the South East
Type
Open tender

In plain English

Portsmouth City Council wants a provider to run an employment support service for adults aged 18 and over who have a learning disability, are autistic, or identify as neurodivergent. The service helps people build the confidence, routines and skills they need before moving towards paid work, and the contract is worth about £470,000 over up to five years, starting 1 April 2027.

What the buyer wants

• Deliver a specialist service that helps service users overcome barriers to work, build confidence, independence, work routines, practical skills, travel confidence and workplace understanding, and gain relevant experience • Provide a clear progression route towards paid employment through appropriate pathways and partnerships, working alongside other employment programmes such as Connect to Work • Work with individuals, employers and partner organisations, supporting co-production and employer engagement, and show in your tender how the best outcomes can be achieved within an indicative budget of about £80,000 a year excluding VAT

Requirements

What could rule a small business out: The notice does not set out specific qualifications, insurance, accreditation or financial thresholds, but a small business may struggle to show that it is a suitably qualified provider able to deliver a specialist service of this scale (about £80,000 a year) across an initial two-year term, with possible extensions to five years.

Always check the tender documents.

How to bid

This is an open tender: any eligible business can respond directly to the buyer by the deadline, with no framework membership needed.

Where to apply

Bids go through In-Tend. Make a free account there, then search for this tender's title.

Go to In-Tend

Questions about this tender? Email the buyer at procurement@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

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