Funding Opportunities

Provider Led Pathways to Work Pre Qualification Questionnaire - DWP/ JCP

You may already be aware of the above programme but will note that JCP have launched a two stage tender process. Documents can be downloaded from http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Initial discussions with partners, both through the Employ Network & the Objective 2 CED programme, have indicated that there is some support for organisations within north London making a submission, which of course, would require a consortium approach.

The PQQ needs to be completed and submitted by the 23rd February 2007 and to that end Urban Futures would be happy to host a meeting of prospective interested parties to discuss the tender and potential ways forward. It should be noted however, that the tender is a relatively large undertaking requiring substantial capacity from prospective partners covering both north and east London.

As an initial starting point, partners are requested to email steve.delaney@urbanfutures.org.uk with any initial thoughts they may have on the programme and whether they think there may be merit at looking at the proposal or whether this type of programme is too large for the north London Employ/ CED/ other
frameworks to support. Subject to replies, we may call a meeting of appropriate parties to discuss further.

Summary of the Provider Led Pathways to Work bidder’s information.

The Pathways service is to help customers claiming incapacity benefits (IB) into work and the successful Providers will be responsible for:

• conducting the second and all subsequent mandatory Work Focused Interviews (WFIs) for those new and repeat customers claiming benefit on the grounds of incapacity, and
• voluntary back-to-work support, that will include a Condition Management Programme, for all IB customers regardless of when they made their claim, and certain other eligible customers.

Two Stage Competitive Tender Procurement.

Stage 1  
Pre-Qualification Questionnaires due by 12 noon on 23rd February 2007 (successful providers notified by 13th April 2007)

Stage 2       
Successful Providers are sent an Invitation to Tender on 16th April 2007

Contract to start April 2008.  Three year Contract with possibility of two year extension

Current Procurement is Phase 2 and includes 16 districts one of which is North and North East London comprising of the seven London Boroughs of Barnet, Barking and Dagenham, Enfield, Haringey, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. This district has 16 offices: Barking, Barnet Hill, Dagenham, Edgware, Edmonton, Enfield, Finchley, Hendon, Hornchurch, Ilford, Leytonstone, Palmers Green, Romford,
Tottenham, Walthamstow, Wood Green. 

Contract size nationally (16 districts) is £207m.  Stage 2 of the tender will have further information about level of funding available by district.  The funding model is outcome based offering payments by results and comprises of a service fee (30%), Job Outcome Payments (50%) and Sustained Job Outcomes (20%).   

Bids are to be evaluated based on

• Management, capacity, direct and sub-contracting delivery  
• Experience of delivering employment related programmes
• Working with/knowledge of supporting Incapacity Benefit customers             
• Human Resources Arrangements                    

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