Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority - Connect To Work Programme

Description

1. Introduction and Background Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority (HEYCA) is the Accountable Body for the Connect To Work programme across the Hull and East Yorkshire geography. As part of its devolved responsibilities, HEYCA will commission Supported Employment provision designed to improve labour market participation, reduce economic inactivity and support inclusive economic growth. Connect To Work represents a significant strategic investment in addressing health-related barriers to employment. The programme is founded on the well-established principle that sustained, good quality work is a key contributor to individual wellbeing, financial stability and wider economic prosperity. Conversely, long-term detachment from the labour market is closely associated with poorer health outcomes, reduced life chances and increased demand on public services. The programme is therefore positioned at the intersection of employment, health and economic development policy. It seeks to deliver meaningful, sustained outcomes for individuals while supporting employers and contributing to the resilience and productivity of the local economy. 2. Connect To Work National Context and Drivers Connect To Work forms part of the Government's wider Get Britain Working agenda. National policy drivers reflect persistent challenges within the UK labour market, including rising economic inactivity, particularly among individuals experiencing long-term sickness, disability and mental health conditions. Long-term ill health has become one of the most significant contributors to economic inactivity nationally. This trend presents both economic and social implications, affecting workforce supply, productivity, household income and public service demand. Government policy increasingly recognises that traditional employability interventions alone are insufficient to address these structural challenges. Connect To Work responds to this context by adopting evidence-based Supported Employment methodologies, principally Individual Placement and Support and the Supported Employment Quality Framework. These approaches prioritise rapid engagement with the labour market, combined with personalised and sustained in-work support. The model recognises that many individuals benefit most from entering suitable employment quickly, with appropriate adjustments and ongoing assistance. Nationally, the programme reflects a shift towards integration between employment and health systems, promoting earlier intervention, improved job retention and more inclusive labour market participation. 3. Geographical Coverage and Local Context The Connect To Work programme will operate across the full Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority geography, encompassing the Hull City Council area and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council area. Hull and East Yorkshire presents a diverse economic and demographic profile. Hull is characterised by concentrated deprivation, comparatively high levels of economic inactivity and pronounced health inequalities. East Riding of Yorkshire reflects a contrasting pattern, with pockets of deprivation situated within a predominantly rural and coastal geography, alongside challenges relating to access, connectivity and service reach. Local intelligence identifies health-related economic inactivity as a critical issue across the geography. Long-term sickness, disability and mental health conditions represent significant barriers to labour market participation. At the same time, employers across multiple sectors report recruitment and retention challenges. The local economy benefits from nationally significant sectoral strengths, including manufacturing, logistics, energy and health and care. Vacancy demand is particularly strong within health and social care, retail, logistics, hospitality and administrative functions. These dynamics create opportunities for Supported Employment interventions capable of aligning participant needs with genuine labour market demand. The programme's place-based design reflects recognition that labour market conditions, service access and participant needs vary significantly across communities. 4. What HEYCA is Seeking to Procure HEYCA will commission Connect To Work delivery through a structured, place-based procurement model designed to ensure accessibility, responsiveness and consistency of quality across the geography. The procurement will be organised into two Lots aligned to constituent authority boundaries: Lot A - Hull Lot B - East Riding of Yorkshire This approach reflects the materially different economic, demographic and service delivery characteristics across the geography. Providers will be required to demonstrate credible delivery models responsive to local need while operating within a coherent programme framework. Commissioned Providers will deliver evidence-based Supported Employment services aligned with nationally recognised fidelity standards. Delivery will be voluntary, person-centred and employer-facing, supporting individuals who are economically inactive, unemployed or at risk of job loss due to health or wider barriers. HEYCA is seeking Providers capable of: • Delivering high-quality Supported Employment interventions • Supporting sustained employment and progression outcomes • Engaging effectively with employers across priority sectors • Operating robust governance, data and assurance arrangements • Contributing to continuous improvement and delivery quality The commissioned services will play a central role in reducing health-related economic inactivity, supporting inclusive workforce participation and contributing to wider regional economic objectives.

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