Information For Bidders

From summer 2011, the Work Programme will provide personalised welfare to work activities for a wide range of people who are currently not in employment. Under current Government plans, the Work Programme will work with long-term claimants of Jobseekers’ Allowance as well as some claimants of Incapacity Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance. The Work Programme will be commissioned by DWP and delivered on a contracted-out basis.

This page contains information to assist organisations who are bidding to run the Work Programme in Greater Manchester. We will keep this updated on a regular basis with new information on topics including the needs of future Work Programme customers; key contacts across the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester; local priorities, opportunities and risks; and existing relevant services.

Responses to questions and information requests received from prospective prime contractors will also be published here.

Key facts and supporting information (Sept 2010) click here (243kb).

The Work Programme in Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester partners are committed to working with prospective prime contractors to ensure that: -

• It is a high quality programme that meets the diverse needs of local residents
• It builds on existing sound infrastructure – both client and employer-facing – and experience of what works (and what doesn’t)
• It combines all our efforts to get the most efficient and effective service to residents, particularly the most vulnerable

We are committed to work with potential Prime Contractors to

• Articulate the needs / opportunities of the contract package area, and what is already in place that providers can build on or work with
• Help local providers adapt to the changing commissioning environment, and better identify what their role in the Work Programme supply chain could be
• Clarify why and how there are opportunities for Primes to work closely with Local Authorities and their key partners
• Help align and co-locate mainstream services that we would like to see offered to those entering the Work Programme

More information/questions

If you have a question or require more information to help prepare your Work Programme proposals please contact:

Annie Smith on 0161 237 4061, 07525 731822 or email Annie Smith

James Farr on 0161 237 4122 or email James Farr