How to win: Employment Readiness and Progression Support Service - Portsmouth 2026

About this contract

Portsmouth City Council ('the Council') is inviting tenders from suitably qualified Providers to provide a specialist Employment Readiness and Progression Support Service for adults aged 18 and over who have a learning disability and/or are autistic or self-identify as neurodivergent. The Contract will commence on 1 April 2027 for an initial term of two years. The Council may, at its sole discretion, extend the Contract for one or more further periods, provided that the total Contract term does not exceed five years from the Contract Commencement Date. The Council has identified an indicative budget of approximately £80,000 per annum excluding VAT for delivery of the Service and is seeking proposals that demonstrate how the best possible outcomes can be achieved within the available funding. The successful Provider will be required to deliver the Services in accordance with the Contract, Specification, submitted Tender and any agreed mobilisation arrangements. Background information The Council currently commissions a specialist employment support service for adults with a learning disability. Through service review, preliminary market engagement and wider employment pathway devel

How to win contracts like this

• ✓Answer against the marking scheme, not the question text — Portsmouth City Council scores each response, so map your evidence to the published criteria and weightings.
• ✓At £470,000, expect quality and social value to carry a large share of the score — price alone rarely wins services work.
• ✓Show recent, comparable delivery: name similar services contracts you've delivered for public bodies, with measurable outcomes.
• ✓Start early: it closes 3 December 2026 and a strong bid takes iteration.

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