Peer Mentoring for Individuals with a Substance Dependency

Individuals with a substance dependency often have the most complex needs. Without specialist intervention, many are unable to overcome barriers to recovery and employment. Individuals are often unwilling to disclose their dependency to Jobcentre Plus (JCP) Work Coaches due to denial, shame, or fear that they will be sanctioned in some way. Other individuals with a dependency may not be engaged with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (the Buyer) at all. As a result, individuals are not able to receive the help and support they need to overcome the addiction and move towards or into work. The Buyer sought to run a new Peer Mentoring Trial, with Peer Mentors using their lived experience of addiction and recovery to inspire, motivate and support others to manage their dependency, access appropriate support (including treatment, Universal Credit, housing services) and move towards employment. All interested Suppliers needed to be accredited on DWP's Test and Learn Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) under the Peer Support service line: - DWP Test and Learn DPS: how to register and apply - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk); DWP Test and Learn Dynamic Purchasing System: guidance for businesses - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Four Contracts were awarded: - Lot 1 - North East England; Lot 2 - North West England; Lot 4 - Southern England; Lot 6 - London and the Home Counties.

This was a procurement for services under the Light Touch Regime and DWP were not bound by Public Contracts Regulations 2015 except as such Regulations are applicable to the Light Touch Regime. DWP expressly reserved the rights: (i) to cancel this procurement at any stage; (ii) to not award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; (iii) to make whatever changes it saw fit to make to the content and structure of the tendering competition; (iv) and in no circumstances were DWP liable for any costs incurred by potential suppliers.

Additional information:

For this Test & Learn DPS Competition, four contracts were awarded in Lot 1 (North East England); Lot 2 (North West England); Lot 4 (Southern England); and Lot 6 (London and The Home Counties).