The Working Wales tender is about to move into the ITT phase with a shortlist of up to five bidders per lot invited to work up full bids. The service aims to support people of all ages to overcome barriers and gain the skills to achieve and maintain good quality, sustainable employment. The provision will be funded for a period of up to seven years, will have an expected value in the first year of £56 million, and will be let in seven lots. 3SC are talking to a number of bidders and hope to be in a position to develop a delivery partnership as the bid progresses. The final submission of proposals is due by the10th September 2018 with delivery commencing on 1 April 2019.

Join NPC Ignites on 10 October 2018 for the NPC’s annual conference. They’ve lined up a selection of innovative thinkers to shake things up. Topics will range from data to digital and place-based approaches to governance. More here.

The Home Office receives applications for asylum from people arriving in the UK who are fleeing persecution, war and political unrest. Many of the new arrivals are destitute, so whilst their claims are checked and assessed they need to be housed and supported, not least because until someone is granted leave to remain they may not take paid employment and have no entitlement to welfare benefits. The Home Office therefore provides a range of accommodation and support services to asylum seekers and these services are currently being retendered. The tender will involve delivery in all four countries forming the UK. 3SC is hoping to develop a supply chain to deliver some of the face-to-face aspects of the services including the provision of an outreach support service and the provision of resettlement support. The next stage of the tendering process will commence in mid- July and once that begins 3SC will start the process of actively seeking delivery organisations.