The assessment team interviewed representatives from over 20 past and present Supply Chain Partner organisations, including unsuccessful organisations and potential new subcontract partners. Prevista was scored against a new Merlin assessment framework and Supply Chain Partners were interviewed from our ESFA NEET, DWP Youth Engagement Fund, Big Lottery, ESFA Apprenticeships and Traineeships contracts.

The final Merlin report refers to multiple areas of ‘key strengths’ that demonstrates our commitment to working positively and collaboratively with our supply chain of providers, from the initial procurement stage through to programme delivery and beyond.

The report highlights the ‘extensive capacity building support’ we provide to our supply chain and recognises a ‘fair and transparent’ approach based around our ‘very clear core values’. Prevista’s Supply Chain Managers are ‘very supportive both proactively and reactively’.

The Merlin Assessment Team highlighted several key areas of strength, including clear communication channels, support for business development and supportive and positive relationships with the Prevista Supply Chain Management Team. They were especially impressed with the variety and scope of Prevista’s capacity building exercises which included the provision of free specialist coaching as part of a 3 day residential for our Supply Chain Partners, and the innovative Youth Congress which enabled our Supply Chain Partner’s young people to attend a coaching/mentoring residential in Yorkshire to ensure a positive legacy for our Youth Provision programmes.

James Clements Smith, Prevista’s Managing Director, commented: