Purpose

The WorkWell programme will provide significant funding between 2026 and 2029 to support people with health conditions and disabilities to start, stay in, or return to work. The programme supports local priorities to reduce economic inactivity and improve health and employment outcomes for East Sussex residents.
To enable delivery of the programme, an open and competitive procurement process was undertaken to identify a suitable delivery partner. This decision seeks approval to award the WorkWell Delivery Grant to the highest-scoring applicant following evaluation and moderation of all applications.

Decision

The Director of Communities, Economy and Transport approved the award of the East Sussex WorkWell Delivery Grant to the successful applicant following an open and competitive application process.
The grant will enable the delivery of WorkWell services across East Sussex from 2026 to 2029, supporting residents with health-related barriers to enter, remain in, or return to employment.

Alternative options considered

Not awarding the grant was rejected as it would prevent delivery of the WorkWell programme in East Sussex and risk the loss of external funding and associated benefits for residents.
Re-running the grant application process was rejected as a robust, open and competitive process has already been completed in accordance with the approved grant requirements. Re-running the process would delay programme mobilisation and delivery without providing any clear benefit.