Mental Health Crisis Café for the Population of Plymouth

Voluntary and Community Sector Providers are invited to bid for the opportunity to provide a Mental Health Crisis Café for the population of Plymouth.

The proposal is funded recurrently by NEW Devon CCG/PCC (integrated commissioning) and is an opportunity for organisations to develop an innovative, user led approach to providing a more informal way to support individuals in crisis and in need of support, within a non-stigmatised, non-medical setting.

There is increasing evidence to support initiatives that enable individuals with mental health problems to have choice, understand, take control of and manage their own mental health; particularly in times of crisis. The development of Crisis Café's has proven an effective way of achieving this, by having alternatives to traditional services such as admission to an Emergency Department. Providers are invited to bid to develop a Crisis Café model of service that is able to support a minimum of an additional 712 individuals a year with acute mental health issues.

Purpose of the service

The development of a Crisis Café aims to achieve: • Better outcomes for individuals with acute mental health issues • Increased satisfaction from those in receipt of services • A reduction in admissions to ED by 30% for the target group of individuals • Increased capacity in the acute care pathway • Fewer admissions to mental health inpatient acute hospital • System wide efficiencies

The preferred provider will develop a Crisis Café with the aim of supporting at least an additional 712 people a year who are in, or approaching a crisis in terms of their mental health. It is envisaged, based on models of best practice nationally, that: 1) Each individual will be able to access a range of support including up to two 1:1 contacts in an evening, if in crisis 2) Police will be supported in having an alternative to the Emergency Department (ED) to leave someone who is distressed (this is a particular issue for capacity within the Police Force) 3) The Acute Care pathway is supported in having options for supporting people and is able to offer support to the café 4) Individuals will have a non-medical, non-stigmatised, environment in which to reduce their distress 5) Click on link to see an example of an existing operational service https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/dec/01/mental-health-problems-late-night-cafe-not-a-and-e

Additional information: Applications must demonstrate consideration of the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, as well as local and STP plans and provide clear evidence of how any number of the following key priorities will be achieved: • Promoting positive mental health through community engagement and raising awareness. • Promoting independence including opportunities for employment, promoting good health and the prevention of escalation of crises. • Promoting resilient communities to support people with mental health issues to tackle social isolation. • Providing information on how to access support, housing, employment, and information on changing provision • Support individuals to recognise and manage their mental health crises

Tenders must be submitted by 9th January 2018 and will be evaluated before 19th January 2018, at which point a preferred provider will be identified.

For any questions/queries, please contact, NEW Devon CCG/Plymouth City Council, Integrated Commissioning - Linda Walton ([email protected])

The application form should be completed and returned to [email protected] by 9th January 2018. Please reference "Crisis Café" in the subject line of your e-mail.