Croydon continues to experience above-average unemployment and persistent economic inactivity, despite being home to one of the largest working-age populations in London. The borough’s labour market is characterised by high youth unemployment in certain wards, concentrations of low-paid and insecure work, a significant proportion of residents with long-term health conditions, and marked inequalities in access to opportunity by geography, ethnicity, gender and disability. The MEF has been designed to respond to these challenges by investing in programmes that help residents to move into, remain in and progress within good work. The Fund is aligned with the Council’s emerging Employment and Skills Plan and Adult Education Skills Plan, which set out a long-term strategy for mapping the journey from learning to earning, identifying gaps in progression, and strengthening cross-sector partnerships to reduce economic inactivity and improve access to training, qualifications and meaningful work. The MEF also supports the Mayor’s Business Plan Outcome 2, which is that Croydon should be a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning. The purpose of the MEF is to support Croydon residents into work, apprenticeships, training or progression opportunities; to provide targeted, culturally competent, evidence-based interventions for residents facing multiple barriers; to strengthen the role of voluntary and community sector partners and specialist providers in employment support; to build collaborative, place-based delivery models; and to ensure that resources reach those most in need, driving measurable improvements in employability, stability and progression. The Fund will be procured across 4 lots: youth provision for 16–24-year-olds; specialist support for care experienced young people; tailored employment support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness; targeted provision for veterans and their families; and a small grants and community events strand to support community-led engagement and progression activities. Allocations are currently expected to be approximately £175,000 for youth, £75,000 for care experienced young people, £175,000 for homelessness, £50,000 for veterans, although these values remain indicative and may be refined prior to contract award. The Lot 1 Youth Provision is divided in 3 sub-lots Sub Lot 1a £50,000 pa Sub Lot 1b £50,000 pa Sub Lot 1c £75,000 pa The Lot 2 is Care Experience Young People is £75,000 pa The Lot 3 Homelessness Supports is divided in 3 sub-lots Sub Lot 3a £50,000 pa Sub Lot 3b £50,000 pa Sub Lot 3c £75,000 pa The Lot 4 Veterans Support is£ 50000 pa. Bidders can only be awarded a maximum of one contract as sole or lead provider and one additional contract as a named partner or sub-contractor This opportunity is available on the Croydon Tenders Portal. https://in-tendhost.co.uk/croydontenders/aspx/Login – Lot nr.: 1 Sub-Lot 1a Youth Provision Sub-lot 1 a Youth Provision (16-24 years old) - Intensive, youth-focused employment support for 16–24-year-olds in Croydon who are NEET or at risk of disengagement. Purpose: help young people become work-ready, reconnect with learning, and secure jobs/apprenticeships/training. Duration contract start date : 19/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Duration contract end date : 18/11/2027 11:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Quality: 65 (Quality) Price: 25 (Price) Quality: 10 (Social Value) – Lot nr.: 2 Sub Lot 1b Youth Provision Sub-lot 1 b Youth Provision (16-24 years old) - Intensive, youth-focused employment support for 16–24-year-olds in Croydon who are NEET or at risk of disengagement. Purpose: help young people become work-ready, reconnect with learning, and secure jobs/apprenticeships/training. Duration contract start date : 19/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Duration contract end date : 18/11/2027 11:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Quality: 65 (Quality) Price: 25 (Price) Quality: 10 (Social Value) – Lot nr.: 3 Sub-Lot 1c Youth Provision Sub-lot 1 c Youth Provision (16-24 years old) - Intensive, youth-focused employment support for 16–24-year-olds in Croydon who are NEET or at risk of disengagement. Purpose: help young people become work-ready, reconnect with learning, and secure jobs/apprenticeships/training. Duration contract start date : 19/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Duration contract end date : 18/11/2027 11:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Quality: 65 (Quality) Price: 25 (Price) Quality: 10 (Social Value) – Lot nr.: 4 Lot 2 : Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) Lot2: Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) - Specialist, trauma-informed employment support for care experienced young people aged 16–25. Purpose: build trust, develop skills, reconnect with education, and secure jobs/apprenticeships/training. Duration contract start date : 19/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Duration contract end date : 18/11/2027 11:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Quality: 65 (Quality) Price: 25 (Price) Quality: 10 (Social Value) – Lot nr.: 5 Sub-Lot 3a Homelessness Support Sub-lot 3a Homelessness Support - Flexible, holistic employment support for adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Purpose: improve stability, build confidence, and progress towards work/training without jeopardizing housing or health. Duration contract start date : 19/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Duration contract end date : 18/11/2027 11:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Quality: 65 (Quality) Price: 25 (Price) Quality: 10 (Social Value) – Lot nr.: 6 Sub-Lot 3b Homelessness Support Sub-lot 3 b Homelessness Support -Flexible, holistic employment support for adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Purpose: improve stability, build confidence, and progress towards work/training without jeopardizing housing or health. Duration contract start date : 19/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Duration contract end date : 18/11/2027 11:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Quality: 65 (Quality) Price: 25 (Price) Quality: 10 (Social Value) – Lot nr.: 7 Sub-Lot 3c Homelessness Support Sub-lot 3c Homelessness Support - Flexible, holistic employment support for adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Purpose: improve stability, build confidence, and progress towards work/training without jeopardizing housing or health. Duration contract start date : 19/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Duration contract end date : 18/11/2027 11:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Quality: 65 (Quality) Price: 25 (Price) Quality: 10 (Social Value) – Lot nr.: 8 Lot 4 Veterans Support Lot 4 Veterans Support - Targeted employment and progression support for armed forces veterans, reservists, and partners. Purpose: translate military skills into civilian careers and address service-related barriers. Duration contract start date : 19/11/2026 12:00:00 AM Duration contract end date : 18/11/2027 11:59:59 PM Criteria definitions: Quality: 65 (Quality) Price: 25 (Price) Quality: 10 (Social Value)