Expressions of Interest for Employment Advisors for IAPT Service across Derbyshire

NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (NHS Arden & GEM CSU) on behalf of NHS Hardwick Clinical Commissioning Group (HCCG) acting as lead Commissioners on behalf of the Derbyshire CCG's including NHS Erewash, Southern Derbyshire and North Derbyshire CCG's are inviting Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified providers capable of delivering an Employment Advice Service for IAPT Services within Derbyshire.

HCCG are looking to increase the availability of employment support within IAPT services to ensure there is sufficient employment support capacity to provide a fully integrated therapy and employment support for people who are employed, those off sick from work and those who are unemployed and looking to find work.

IAPT services are psychological therapy services tailored to people's needs and include talking therapies, group approaches, couples therapy and self-help support for people who experience anxiety and depression.

The intention of this service is to ensure that IAPT services are able to offer an integrated package of psychological therapy and employment support. Services will receive investment so that they can recruit employment advisors to reach the required one employment advisor for every eight therapists. These employment advisors will be embedded into IAPT services. Therapists and employment advisors will be expected to work together to ensure that a personalised integrated package of care is available to all clients who choose to be supported in this way to remain in, get back to and find work.

Commissioners are welcoming comments and feedback from potential providers on the draft service specification (this will be available to download via the Bravo e-tendering portal) to help inform the final draft service specification.

Please note that while this is an opportunity to comment on the service specification, the Commissioners are not obligated to incorporate or change the draft specification. This process has been designed to allow the market visibility of the proposed opportunity and support early engagement and networking between providers looking to sub-contract or form partnerships with other providers.

An engagement event is also being held on 17th October 2017, 10.00-12.00pm to provide an overview of the Commissioners intentions regarding this opportunity and to feedback/discuss comments on the draft service specification. Places are strictly limited therefore reservations are limited to no more than 2 persons per Organisation.

Additional information: The aim of the expression of interest exercise is to: 1. Support the CCGs informed decision making on the potential options on the future commissioning of these services; 2. To help refine the commissioning and procurement approach and; 3. To gauge the level of interest from the market of capable providers with capacity across Derbyshire to deliver the services illustrated above. This is a market testing exercise and does not commit the CCG to carry out a procurement process. Current AQP IAPT services will remain in place during this period in line with existing contracts and service level agreements.

Bidders who have expressed an interest in this market testing exercise will have the opportunity to submit a separate response to the Contract Notice as applicable.

If you wish to comment on the draft specification and/or attend the market engagement event on 17th October 2017, 10.00-12.00pm in Derbyshire (Venue to be confirmed), please register on the Bravo Portal https://ardengemcsu.bravosolution.co.uk, The PQQ reference is PQQ_428.

Once registered you can access the specification and attach your comments. Please complete the questions in the qualification envelope which asks providers to give details about your organisation's name and postal address, email address, contact name and number. Your response should also include capability and previous experience of delivering this or a similar level of employment advice.

Please note the deadline for responses is by 12pm (noon) on 3rd October 2017.