Published date: 5 March 2024

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 26 March 2024, 11:59pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Survey services - 79311000

  • Social research services - 79315000

Location of contract

England

Value of contract

£40,000 to £60,000

Procurement reference

WECA001-DN714232-27863506

Published date

5 March 2024

Closing date

26 March 2024

Closing time

11:59pm

Contract start date

12 April 2024

Contract end date

31 July 2025

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No


Description

The Future Bright Plus (FBP) service has run since March 2021 (final referrals to the scheme were 31st Jan 2024). The service has continued to build on the legacy of the DWP Employment Support Innovation pilot which ran from February 2018 to July 2021. The service supports mainly low income in-work residents in the West of England Combined Authority area to increase their confidence, motivation, wellbeing, skills and incomes. The project provides information, advice and signposting to all residents who contact the service supporting them on the road to career progression by identifying and making best use of the full range of local services available including appropriate West of England Combined Authority initiatives. Those who are in work are eligible to receive one to one coaching, the level of service, Light Touch or Full Service, is determined by individual circumstance (www.futurebright.org.uk ). The approach goes beyond training to identify and overcome a much wider range of barriers to career progression, tailoring support to the individual.

The pilot demonstrated the need for a programme for low-income, in-work residents in the West of England as it provides a service for demographic not otherwise supported. The Future Bright Plus programme aimed to fill a gap in local provision with funding provided for three years from the West of England Combined Authority Investment Fund to kick-start career progression for residents.

The purpose of this evaluation is to provide rigorous evidence that demonstrates the outcomes and impacts of the programme, including long-term benefits. The evaluation will also test whether the theory of change has functioned as expected and identify which were the most effective means of supporting individual in-work progression to inform policy in the future.

Key outcomes for Future Bright Plus:
• Increase in financial independence and income.
• Increased work security or flexibility
• Increased awareness of support available
• Increase in skills and experience
• Improvement in participants' attitude (motivation, confidence and job satisfaction)
• Increase in health & wellbeing
• Increased understanding on how in-work progression can be best supported in the future.

Broader outcomes
• Children benefiting from improvements to motivation, skills, prosperity and increased health and wellbeing of parent/ carer
• Understanding this demographic
• Reduction in public spend associated with benefits.


About the buyer

Contact name

Darron Jones

Address

Rivergate House, 70 Redcliff Street
Redcliffe
Bristol
BS1 6AL
England

Email

darron.jones@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

Website

https://www.westofengland-ca.org.uk/