Paul Higginbottom's presentation at NCVO's conference on 10 December 2014 on European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020: from policy to practice provides an overview of the Department for Work & Pensions Opt In offer. For more information, visit NCVO's European Funding Network website http://europeanfundingnetwork.eu/. Find out more about NCVO's upcoming events http://www.ncvo.org.uk/training-and-events/events-listing

1. 1
ESF 2014-20
DWP Opt In
Paul Higginbottom
DWP ESF Opt In Policy Manager
NCVO Conference
10 December 2014

2. 2
What is our Opt In Offer?
• Help LEPs develop the design, content and specification
of their employment focused provision
• Procure these contracts within EU regulations
• Performance manage the contracts
• Validate outcome payments
• Manage the ESF Audit regime
• Provide eligible match
• Accountability

3. 3
How are we supporting
LEPs with our Opt In
offer?

4. 4
How are we supporting LEPs?
• Named SPOC within Jobcentre Plus Partnership team:
• Local support –
– In their location
• Local knowledge –
– Advice on added value
– Customer & Priority groups
– What's worked well before and recently
• Core part of their job

5. 5
How are we supporting LEPs?
• Each SPOC is supported by:
– DWP Change Project Team
– DWP Commercial experts
– DWP ESF Policy
– DWP Strategy

6. 6
How are we supporting LEPs?
Match:
•We will provide match to the value of the LEP Opt In
•Will be identified from ESF eligible & suitable provision

7. 7
Commercial Approach:
How are we supporting LEPs?
• Open & fair competition:
• Any legal entity can bid
• Not using the ERSS Framework (ends January 2015)
• Compliant with EU Procurement & Cabinet Office
Guidelines:
• 120 days from launch of ItT to contract award;
• Includes 6 weeks for bid writing
• Specification content tailored for each LEP

8. 8
Commercial Approach
•LEP involvement:
• Design & Development
• Bid assessment or Observer
•Scheduled ItTs into cohorts
•Opportunities will be advertised on the Contracts Finder
website & OJEU
•LEPs websites may publish a link through to the
competition
How are we supporting LEPs?

9. 9
Performance Management
• Implementation
• Develop relationships with the LEP
• Monthly Contract Performance Reviews
• Provider Engagement Meetings
• Formal Intervention and Improvement Planning
How are we supporting LEPs?

10. 10
Outcome Payment validation
•Established systems and processes to validate outcome
payments
– Combination of IT and people based validation checks
– Risk based approach
•Reduces the risk of future financial recovery
•Protects performance and spend for both DWP and the
LEP
How are we supporting LEPs?

11. 11
Any
Questions?

12. 12
DWP Opt In contacts
Paul Higginbottom
Paul.higginbottom@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
DWP ESF 2104-20 Opt In inbox:
CFOESF2014-2020.ENQUIRIES@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK