Kickstart Employment Programme - Employability Wrap around service

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment. Employers of all sizes can apply for funding which covers:

• 100% of the National Minimum Wage (or the National Living Wage depending on the age of the participant) for 25 hours per week for a total of 6 months • associated employer National Insurance contributions • employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

GWE Business West Ltd (Business West) is an official Gateway for employers wanting 30 or less placements. As part of the programme Business West asks employers to sign up to a code of conduct and a package of employability support provided by a specialist third party.

GWE Business West Ltd (Business West) is seeking to appoint a number of approved service providers to deliver bespoke employability support and mentoring for young people aged 16-24 years old as part of their paid DWP Kickstart placement through GWE Business West Ltd as a Kickstart Gateway. (At present there are a total of 218 possible placements)

Once approved and on the list, service providers will be matched to placements/business based on experience and area of expertise. Service delivery should be capable of starting immediately in May 2021 and at any time throughout the contract period through to June 2022 as new Kickstart participants enter a placement.

Business West requires the information sought in this Invitation to Tender (ITT) from applicants responding to the Opportunity published on Contracts Finder 'GWE Business West Employability Wrap around Service ITT' and on the Business West Website.

Business West intends to award any Contract based on the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT). Business West will not be bound to accept the lowest price of any Tender submitted, but will be looking to ensure the correct balance between quality and price.

The contract will be awarded for a period of to cover 14 months commencing in May 2021 to the end of June 2022 (This may be subject to change based on decisions by the DWP) and Business West continuing to act as a Gateway Organisation for Kickstart.