Provision of Autism Support Advice and Inclusion Service across North West London

NHS North West London requires the provision of an Autism Support Advice & Inclusion Service to deliver a peer-led support, advice & signposting service for autistic people without a learning disability aged 14 & over. One of the key features of this service is that it will be delivered by people with lived experience of autism, & shaped, tested, & evaluated by the autistic people & families who use it.

The contract term is for a three (3) year period, with an optional extension period of two (2) years, starting 1st July 2023 with an estimated contract value of £450,000 inclusive of VAT. A mobilisation period of 1 month will be applied prior to the commencement of the start date.

NHS NW London is looking to tender this opportunity via an Atamis portal in the coming weeks. This procurement process is subject to the so-called light touch regime as set out in regulations 74-76 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("PCR") as the procurement concerns health services which are social & other specific services according to the PCR. This opportunity is likely to be of interest to an organisation from the voluntary, community & social enterprise (VCSE) sector.

The service will: -Provide direct face-to-face & virtual pre & post diagnostic support to autistic adults delivered as 1:1 & group sessions. This will include support with communication, executive functioning tasks, budgeting & navigating services. -Deliver group sessions to young people aged 14 to 17. -Offer specialist training & advice to families, employers & professionals (including but not limited to those working across statutory, voluntary & community services within health, social care, education, criminal justice system & advisory settings) to improve autism awareness & acceptance within communities & the wider system. -Develop mechanisms & facilitate sessions to provide opportunities for autistic people to share their views & experiences & contribute to plans to improve specialist & mainstream services & pathways.

NHS NW London is committed to assessing the needs of the service users & to consider how (if relevant) it needs to secure the needs of the people who use the services & improve the quality & efficiency in the provision of the services including through the services being provided in an integrated way.

The service is currently being delivered by Centre for ADHD & Autism Support (CAAS). To ensure continuity of the current service delivery, an interim contract will be put into place with Centre for ADHD & Autism Support (CAAS) while the procurement process is finalised.

Providers capable of delivering this service may come forward by 17:00, Friday, 24th March 2023 to engage with NHS NW London ICB. In your response to this opportunity, please advise your interest via [email protected]

The FTS Notice link is: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008029-2023