WorkWell Service for NHS Essex ICB
The Authority is undertaking a Competitive Process under the PSR 23 with the aim to secure the most suitable Provider for the provision of ‘Essex WorkWell Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service’ and ‘Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership(s)’. The Authority aims to award a single contract for each service to a single Provider (either as the sole Provider or as the ‘Lead Provider’ on behalf of a consortium). These services support the Authority’s WorkWell offering in Essex. Suitable organisations, SMEs and Local Providers are invited to tender for these services and can submit a compliant bid for one or all LOTs.
Lot 1: Essex WorkWell Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service
Lot 2: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership - Mid and North Essex (MNE)
Lot 3: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership - West Essex (WE)
Lot 4: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership - South East Essex (SEE)
Lot 5: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership - South West Essex (SWE)
The aggregate value of the Proposed Contract (including extensions and any available options excisable during the term of the Proposed Contract) across all five (5) LOTS as advertised in the Central Digital Platform (CDP) also referred to as Find a Tender Service (FTS), is £5,163,141.00.
The proposed contract duration is from 01/12/2026 to 31/03/2029.
The Proposed Contract to be entered into by the Authority and the Preferred Bidder(s) for the Services will be based on the NHS Standard Contract 2026/27 (full-length) and all subsequent variations thereof from time to time during the contract term.
All details related to this opportunity, including the procurement documentation are in the Atamis portal - please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
The relevant documentation will be available within the “C460866 WorkWell Services” project.
It is free to register on the Atamis portal and it can be accessed at any time of day providing you have a working internet connection. Should providers have any queries, or are having problems registering on the portal; they should contact the Atamis helpdesk via: Support-health@Atamis.co.uk or phone number 0800 9956035. The helpdesk is open Monday - Friday between 08:00 - 18:00
The deadline for tender submissions is 12:noon on the 15th September 2026.
LOT 1 Essex WorkWell Neighbourhood Work & Health Coach Service
LOT 1 - Essex WorkWell Neighbourhood Work & Health Coach Service
Period of agreement: 01/12/2026 to 31/03/2029
The maximum contract value is £2,611,826.
The Authority intends to award a single contract to a single Provider (as the sole Provider or as the ‘Lead Provider’ in a consortium) for LOT 1 Essex WorkWell Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service.
The minimum requirements that the Provider needs to satisfy are:
- Evidence of economic and financial standing. Bidders are required to evidence a turnover that meets the minimum level of economic and financial standing / minimum financial threshold, which is twice the (year 1) annual contract value for this LOT 1, equating to £2,082,966.00
- Evidence of the Bidder’s technical and professional ability, including previous experience.
- To have an established, or to establish a ‘base’ in Essex. Local provision is necessary to successfully deliver the requirements of the service.
The Authority has provided a detailed Service Specification (Document 3a - NWHCS - Service Specification) that outlines the service specific deliverables and requirements for this Essex WorkWell Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service.
Scope of Lot 1
This specification relates to Lot 1: Essex WorkWell Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service.
The successful Provider will deliver specialist employment support across Essex, working collaboratively with Essex ICB, Local WorkWell Partnerships and wider system partners to support people whose health condition or disability affects their ability to remain in work, return to work, or move towards employment.
The successful Provider will be responsible for supporting a minimum of 6,620 WorkWell participants across Essex during the period 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2029 and for delivering the associated programme outcomes and performance measures. Volumes will increase incrementally during the mobilisation and early delivery phase.
The maximum contract value is £2,611,826.
The Provider must demonstrate:
• A track record of delivering employment support services.
• Robust quality assurance arrangements.
• Experience of working collaboratively across complex partnerships.
• The ability to deliver high-quality, person-centred employment support.
• The ability to achieve agreed outcomes and performance measures.
The Provider can develop and lead a partnership of employment support organisations and will be responsible for:
• Strategic leadership and oversight.
• Performance management.
• Quality assurance.
• Partnership development and capacity building.
• Delivery of the Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service across Essex.
The service will be available to people with a disability or health condition for whom Essex ICB has commissioning responsibility.
It is anticipated that the majority of participants will be:
• People whose employment is at risk due to health-related barriers.
• People who have recently left employment due to health-related reasons.
In addition, the programme will seek to ensure equitable access and support for:
• Veterans
• Carers
• Care leavers
The Provider must deliver a zero-exclusion approach and ensure equitable access across Essex, with resources targeted proportionately to need and demand.
The WorkWell programme will be overseen by the Essex ICB Neighbourhood Programme Group, Neighbourhood Health Committee and associated governance arrangements.
The Service Objectives for LOT 1: Essex WorkWell Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service include:
o Support people to remain in work.
o Support people to return to work following sickness absence.
o Support people to move towards employment where appropriate.
o Reduce health-related barriers to employment.
o Improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
o Promote equitable access to support across Essex.
Lot 2: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership - Mid and North Essex (MNE)
Lot 2: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership - Mid and North Essex (MNE)
The Authority intends to award a single contract to a single Provider (as the sole Provider or as the ‘Lead Provider’ in a consortium) for LOT 2: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership - Mid and North Essex (MNE).
The minimum requirements that the Provider needs to satisfy are:
- Evidence of economic and financial standing. Bidders are required to evidence a turnover that meets the minimum level of economic and financial standing / minimum financial threshold, which is once the (2027/28) annual contract value for this LOT 2, equating to £254,800.00.
- Evidence of the Bidder’s technical and professional ability, including previous experience.
- To have an established, or to establish a ‘base’ in Essex, with experience and knowledge of the Mid and North Essex geography and demography. Local provision is necessary to successfully deliver the requirements of the service.
The Authority has provided a detailed Service Specification (Document 3b - LOTs 2-5 LWHP Service Specification) that outlines the service specific deliverables and requirements for this Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership for Mid and North Essex (MNE).
Partnerships will strengthen local work, health and skills systems and ensure that residents can access coordinated and effective support. The successful Provider will act as the lead organisation for the Local WorkWell Partnership and will be responsible for partnership development, local engagement, administration of the Additional Support Fund and continuous improvement of local work and health pathways.
Partnership Objectives. The Local WorkWell Partnership will:
o Strengthen local work, health and skills systems.
o Improve coordination between organisations.
o Increase awareness of WorkWell.
o Improve referral pathways.
o Support equitable access.
o Promote community engagement.
o Support the effective use of the Additional Support Fund.
o Contribute to improved employment and health outcomes.
Each Local WorkWell Partnership will operate within its allocated geography and work collaboratively with Essex ICB, neighbouring Local WorkWell Partnerships and the Essex-wide Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service to support delivery of WorkWell objectives.
Period of agreement: 28-months from 01/12/2026 - 31/03/2029
Maximum contract value over the lifetime of contract: £928,200.00
To express interest and participate in the Market Event, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
The relevant documentation will be available within the “C460866 WorkWell Services” project.
LOT 3: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – West Essex (WE)
LOT 3: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – West Essex (WE)
The Authority intends to award a single contract to a single Provider (as the sole Provider or as the ‘Lead Provider’ in a consortium) for LOT 3: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – West Essex (WE).
The minimum requirements that the Provider needs to satisfy are:
- Evidence of economic and financial standing. Bidders are required to evidence a turnover that meets the minimum level of economic and financial standing / minimum financial threshold, which is once the (2027/28) annual contract value for this LOT 3, equating to £135,461.00.
- Evidence of the Bidder’s technical and professional ability, including previous experience.
- To have an established, or to establish a ‘base’ in Essex, with experience and knowledge of the West Essex geography and demography. Local provision is necessary to successfully deliver the requirements of the service.
The Authority has provided a detailed Service Specification (Document 3b - LOTs 2-5 LWHP Service Specification) that outlines the service specific deliverables and requirements for this Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership for West Essex (WE).
Partnerships will strengthen local work, health and skills systems and ensure that residents can access coordinated and effective support. The successful Provider will act as the lead organisation for the Local WorkWell Partnership and will be responsible for partnership development, local engagement, administration of the Additional Support Fund and continuous improvement of local work and health pathways.
Partnership Objectives. The Local WorkWell Partnership will:
o Strengthen local work, health and skills systems.
o Improve coordination between organisations.
o Increase awareness of WorkWell.
o Improve referral pathways.
o Support equitable access.
o Promote community engagement.
o Support the effective use of the Additional Support Fund.
o Contribute to improved employment and health outcomes.
Each Local WorkWell Partnership will operate within its allocated geography and work collaboratively with Essex ICB, neighbouring Local WorkWell Partnerships and the Essex-wide Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service to support delivery of WorkWell objectives.
Contract term - 28 months from 01/12/2026 - 31/03/2029
Maximum contract value over lifetime of contract: £492,511.00
To express interest and participate in the Market Event, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
The relevant documentation will be available within the “C460866 WorkWell Services” project.
LOT 4: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – South East Essex (SEE)
LOT 4: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – South East Essex (SEE)
The Authority intends to award a single contract to a single Provider (as the sole Provider or as the ‘Lead Provider’ in a consortium) for LOT 4: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – South East Essex (SEE).
The minimum requirements that the Provider needs to satisfy are:
- Evidence of economic and financial standing. Bidders are required to evidence a turnover that meets the minimum level of economic and financial standing / minimum financial threshold, which is once the (2027/28) annual contract value for this LOT 4, equating to £147,509.00.
- Evidence of the Bidder’s technical and professional ability, including previous experience.
- To have an established, or to establish a ‘base’ in Essex, with experience and knowledge of the South East Essex geography and demography. Local provision is necessary to successfully deliver the requirements of the service.
The Authority has provided a detailed Service Specification (Document 3b - LOTs 2-5 LWHP Service Specification) that outlines the service specific deliverables and requirements for this Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership for South East Essex (SEE).
Partnerships will strengthen local work, health and skills systems and ensure that residents can access coordinated and effective support. The successful Provider will act as the lead organisation for the Local WorkWell Partnership and will be responsible for partnership development, local engagement, administration of the Additional Support Fund and continuous improvement of local work and health pathways.
Partnership Objectives. The Local WorkWell Partnership will:
o Strengthen local work, health and skills systems.
o Improve coordination between organisations.
o Increase awareness of WorkWell.
o Improve referral pathways.
o Support equitable access.
o Promote community engagement.
o Support the effective use of the Additional Support Fund.
o Contribute to improved employment and health outcomes.
Each Local WorkWell Partnership will operate within its allocated geography and work collaboratively with Essex ICB, neighbouring Local WorkWell Partnerships and the Essex-wide Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service to support delivery of WorkWell objectives.
Contract term 28-months from 01/12/2026 - 31/03/2029
Maximum contract value over lifetime of contract: £536,009.00
To express interest and participate in the Market Event, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
The relevant documentation will be available within the “C460866 WorkWell Services” project.
LOT 5 Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – South West Essex (SWE)
LOT 5 Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – South West Essex (SWE)
The Authority intends to award a single contract to a single Provider (as the sole Provider or as the ‘Lead Provider’ in a consortium) for LOT 4: Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership – South West Essex (SWE).
The minimum requirements that the Provider needs to satisfy are:
- Evidence of economic and financial standing. Bidders are required to evidence a turnover that meets the minimum level of economic and financial standing / minimum financial threshold, which is once the (2027/28) annual contract value for this LOT 4, equating to £163,546.00.
- Evidence of the Bidder’s technical and professional ability, including previous experience.
- To have an established, or to establish a ‘base’ in Essex, with experience and knowledge of the South West Essex geography and demography. Local provision is necessary to successfully deliver the requirements of the service.
The Authority has provided a detailed Service Specification (Document 3b - LOTs 2-5 LWHP Service Specification) that outlines the service specific deliverables and requirements for this Local WorkWell (Work & Health) Partnership for South West Essex (SWE).
Partnerships will strengthen local work, health and skills systems and ensure that residents can access coordinated and effective support. The successful Provider will act as the lead organisation for the Local WorkWell Partnership and will be responsible for partnership development, local engagement, administration of the Additional Support Fund and continuous improvement of local work and health pathways.
Partnership Objectives. The Local WorkWell Partnership will:
o Strengthen local work, health and skills systems.
o Improve coordination between organisations.
o Increase awareness of WorkWell.
o Improve referral pathways.
o Support equitable access.
o Promote community engagement.
o Support the effective use of the Additional Support Fund.
o Contribute to improved employment and health outcomes.
Each Local WorkWell Partnership will operate within its allocated geography and work collaboratively with Essex ICB, neighbouring Local WorkWell Partnerships and the Essex-wide Neighbourhood Work and Health Coach Service to support delivery of WorkWell objectives.
Contract term: 28-months from 01/12/2026 - 31/03/2029
Maximum contract value over lifetime of contract: £594,596.00
To express interest and participate in the Market Event, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
The relevant documentation will be available within the “C460866 WorkWell Services” project.
