Connect to Work is new programme funded by DWP in England and Wales to help disabled people, those with health conditions and people with complex barriers to employment, to find sustainable work.  

It is a voluntary programme, delivering the evidence-based Supported Employment model, ‘place, train, and maintain’, via two different types of interventions based on the needs of the participant – Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and Supported Employment Quality Framework(SEQF).

As the Accountable Body for Connect to Work, the North East Combined Authority held a pre-launch session on Wednesday 19th March and has now launched an Invitation to Tender for the IPS intervention only. 

Key details:

Estimated contract value: £30,000,000.00

Expression of interest window start on: 20-03-2025 15:00 

Expression of interest window ends on: 04-04-2025 12:00

Estimated contract start date: 01-06-2025

Estimated contract end date: 01-04-2028