Individual Placement & Support Service (IPS)
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
Don't just think about the numbers
When you look at this tender, it's tempting to focus on the impressive value of £877,112.
But that's not the heart of what the Royal Borough of Greenwich is buying.
They're investing in lives.
Specifically, helping individuals in drug and alcohol recovery find sustainable employment across Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
It's a social outcome, not just a service.
The contract covers a Tri-Borough initiative to provide Individual Placement and Support (IPS) to adults over 18 who are currently in structured treatment and out of work.
Think about what recovery really means
This isn't just about jobs.
It's about hope and transformation.
The government's national ten year drug strategy, "From Harm to Hope", underpins this initiative.
Successful bids will recognise that finding employment is a crucial part of recovery.
If I were evaluating bids, I'd be looking for a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in recovery.
And how employment can be a cornerstone of their journey to a healthier life.
Pay attention to what they say
The Royal Borough of Greenwich is clear.
They need "intensive, individually tailored support".
This isn't a one-size-fits-all service.
The buyer is looking for bespoke solutions that fit each individual's needs.
Your submission should detail how you will provide personalised support across three boroughs, respecting local nuances.
Don't underestimate the importance of local knowledge
Delivering this service across Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich means understanding each borough's unique context.
What are the employment opportunities in these areas?
What local partnerships can you leverage?
Demonstrating local insight will set your bid apart.
Evidence always beats promises
One thing I noticed when I worked in the public sector was that promises are easy to make.
Evidence is what convinces.
Provide examples of your success in similar schemes.
- Case studies of individuals you've helped into employment
- Testimonials from past clients who benefitted from your support
- Data on employment rates post-intervention
Show them what you've achieved before, so they can trust what you'll achieve here.
The real challenge isn't starting strong
It's maintaining quality over more than two years.
Standards can slip, especially in a service that requires such personal, tailored support.
Outline your plans for maintaining high-quality service throughout the contract duration.
- How will you handle staff turnover?
- What systems are in place for continuous training and development?
- How will you ensure consistent service delivery across all boroughs?
That's what I'd build my submission around.
Remember who you're trying to convince
Ultimately, this is about the individuals who will benefit from the IPS scheme.
Their recovery, their hopes, their futures.
Every decision you make should be tested against one question:
"Does this make their journey to employment easier?"
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus solely on the financial aspects and overlook social impacts
- Offer generic support packages rather than tailored solutions
- Fail to demonstrate local knowledge of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich
- Lack evidence of past success in similar initiatives
- Ignore ongoing quality management across the contract's duration
- Overlook the importance of partnerships with local employers
- Underestimate the need for intensive, personalised support
- Neglect the significance of the government's drug strategy in shaping the service
My Final Thoughts
The Royal Borough of Greenwich isn't just procuring a service.
They're seeking a partner in transforming lives through employment.
The contract value of £877,112 reflects the importance and scale of this work.
The duration from January 2027 to March 2029 gives you the time to make a real impact.
With a focus on individually tailored support, it's clear that quality is paramount.
The written submission will need to reflect this focus on quality, detail your evidence of success and show how you'll maintain standards across three boroughs.
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.