WorkWell (Expansion) National Support Team

The WorkWell (Expansion) National Support Team ("NST") Services are “learning and support services” under the Light-Touch Regime as set out in Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Department of Work and Pensions (“DWP”) (“Buyer”) intends to use the Crown Commercial Services ("CCS") RM6219 Learning and Training Services Dynamic Purchasing System (“DPS”) RM6219 to procure for the WorkWell (Expansion) NST.

Pursuant to regulation 48(1) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015, the purpose of this Prior Information Notice (“PIN”) is to notify the market that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions plans to host a Supplier Engagement Event (“SEE”) to inform the market of a prospective tender opportunity for WorkWell (Expansion) NST Services. To provide a NST as part of the National Support Offer (“NSO”) to support the WorkWell programme. This PIN does not constitute and does not replace any invite the Buyer may issue to Suppliers to submit a tender in writing for any Order Contract for the provision of the WorkWell (Expansion) NST Services in accordance with the Order Procedure set out in Schedule 7 of DPS RM6219.

WorkWell is a programme which aims to better integrate local employment and health support for disabled people and people with health conditions to get in and get on in work. The NSO is designed to be made up of three interconnected elements, delivered nationally, regionally and locally. As described in the background sections. DWP is seeking to procure one supplier for one contract for the NST element of the NSO. The NST is a central team made up of experts providing bespoke learning and service improvement, coaching and best practice with a view to developing capabilities of Integrated Care Boards (“ICBs”) in England in all areas where the WorkWell programme is being delivered. This will be across three Core Functions, including but limited to:

• Planning and Support - using insights from the pilot phase and the WorkWell Toolkit to guide both refinement and new design. • Learning and Evidence – lead the delivery of a structured programme of learning and change activities. • Service Improvement – lead the service improvement component of a current Performance and Assurance Framework. Integrating standards into all assurance tools and processes from day one.

The Order Contract is for the provision of WorkWell (Expansion) NST Services. Funding for the second and third years of the contract is expected to be granted in March 2027, the intention to have a 33-month contract period. Funding will be split as follows an initial term of 9 months + 12 months + 12 months.