Education, Employment and Skills Development for Asylum Seekers and Displaced People
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
Don't just tick the boxes
This tender is about much more than delivering educational programmes.
It's about transforming lives for asylum seekers and displaced people.
The London Borough of Croydon is looking for a provider who can offer culturally appropriate, person-centred, outcome-focused services.
Yes, the contract covers education, employment and skills development. But the real service is helping people rebuild their lives and integrate into their communities.
That's a profound responsibility.
Think about the people, not the process
When you're writing your response, focus on the individuals you'll be supporting.
These are people with unique stories and challenges.
Your programme should be tailored to meet their specific needs, not just a generic service.
If I were evaluating bids, I'd be looking for evidence that you understand the complexities of working with asylum seekers and displaced people.
How will you ensure your services are culturally appropriate?
How will you build trust and rapport?
Pay attention to what they say
The council is clear about the need for collaboration.
They want providers to work alongside statutory services, voluntary organisations and other stakeholders.
This isn't a solo endeavour.
Your ability to form partnerships will be crucial to delivering the outcomes they seek.
In your response, I'd emphasise your experience and success in collaborative work.
Show how you'll make life easier for the Council
Remember, the council doesn't just want services delivered.
They want services that ease their workload.
Demonstrate how your management processes will simplify oversight and reduce administrative burdens.
Highlight any technology or systems you use to streamline communication and reporting.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that promises are easy to make.
Evidence is harder to dispute.
If you have case studies or examples of past successes, now is the time to share them.
- Successful outcomes from similar programmes
- Testimonials from previous partners or beneficiaries
- Data showing improvement in integration or independence
- Examples of effective collaboration with other organisations
Don't underestimate the need for flexibility
The needs of asylum seekers and displaced people can change rapidly.
Your approach must be adaptable.
If I were writing this tender, I'd detail how my services can be tailored or adjusted as those needs evolve.
Flexibility isn't just a strength; it's a necessity in this context.
Remember the contract duration
This is a 12-month contract, with the possibility of extending to 30 November 2028.
Consistency and sustained quality over the entire term will be vital.
I'd want to see plans for staff training, recruitment and retention to ensure continuity.
How will you maintain quality if key personnel leave?
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
Every decision, every service, every interaction should be tested against one question:
"Will this truly help someone rebuild their life?"
That's the heart of what this tender is about.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on programme delivery without considering cultural appropriateness
- Neglect the importance of partnership and collaboration
- Offer generic solutions that aren't tailored to the specific needs of asylum seekers
- Fail to provide evidence of past success or adaptability
- Overlook the need for flexibility and responsiveness
- Ignore the need for consistent service quality over the contract term
My Final Thoughts
This tender is about making a genuine difference in people's lives.
The London Borough of Croydon has set a clear mandate: culturally appropriate, person-centred and outcome-focused services.
With a contract running from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2027, and the potential for extension, the emphasis is on quality and collaboration.
Quality carries the weight here.
Your written submission needs to reflect that.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
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Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.