WorkWell National Support Team 11948

The WorkWell Partnership Programme was announced as part of a package of funding in the Spring Budget 2023. The government is investing in health and work support to help tackle the rising levels of economic inactivity as a result of long-term sickness. Fifteen Integrated Care Boards (to be known as Vanguards) have been awarded grant funding to deliver WorkWell Services following a competition run by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). WorkWell Services will be managed by Joint Work and Health Division (a joint DWP/Department for Health and Social Care team (DHSC). WorkWell Services will pilot light touch work and health support for disabled people and people with health conditions who want to start, stay and succeed in work. WorkWell Services will be locally led and designed to respond to local population needs. WorkWell Services are planned to commence in Autumn 2024 and be carried out until Spring 2026. It is anticipated that the Call-Off Contract will be awarded on 30th April 2024, and commence service delivery on 1st May 2024. It is recognised that WorkWell Services is a new area of work for many Vanguards and DWP wishes to provide national and regional support services in each of the Vanguard areas. The package of support to be provided by DWP in Vanguard areas will be referred to as the National Support Offer (NSO).

The aims of the NSO are to enable Vanguards to go faster and further in delivering WorkWell Services and to promote national and regional cross-system learning in relation to WorkWell Services. The NSO comprises of 3 elements: A National Support Team (NST) to provide advice and support on overall strategic leadership to Vanguards. The establishment, management, continuing provision and supervision of the NST is a key part of the Services to be provided by the Supplier under the Call-Off Contract; A team of regional advisors which means those officials who are employed by DWP or DHSC working in the Joint Work and Health Directorate and who will work alongside the regional Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) teams to support the Vanguards and Non-Vanguards