Counselling services

Tender description

ELFT delivers IAPT psychological therapies services in Newham and Tower Hamlets, and currently commissions counselling provision to an external provider. In addition to counselling services, the Tower Hamlets IAPT service also has a DWP-funded employment support service, which is explicitly linked to the IAPT service and is intended to be as closely integrated as possible. Due to Covid-19 these services are currently being delivered remotely by video and telephone but in future we expect to return to face-to-face delivery for those who prefer it. The Trust is currently exploring options on potential provision of these services. Both the counselling and employment services will use the Trust’s clinical record system to maintain accurate records of appointments attended, outcome measures, etc. The Trust is looking for sub-contractor partners to deliver three lots; potential providers are invited to apply for any lot or combination of lots, recognising that there are synergies across the three lots particularly Lot 1 and 2. The service is expected to go live by 1 April 2021 in Newham and 1 October 2021 in Tower Hamlets. There are supporting staff for the services and TUPE will be applied to the successful bidder. This consists of a time-limited course of counselling following the principles of the national IAPT programme. The provider will be expected to accept referrals following assessment by ELFT IAPT clinicians, managing the waiting list effectively to keep waiting times at an acceptable level, and delivering effective therapy to help service users to achieve a Recovery outcome, as defined in the IAPT manual. The service will provide brief counselling, recording the IAPT minimum data set at each appointment, with a target to deliver at least 140 attended appointments per month; approximately 30-50 people start treatment each month. The provider will operate as an integral part of the IAPT service and adhere to its performance, operational, and safeguarding standards. Currently the service is delivered largely by a workforce of volunteers, supervised and coordinated by paid staff; it is anticipated that this approach would continue but innovative alternatives will be considered. This consists of a time-limited course of counselling following the principles of the national IAPT programme. The provider will be expected to accept referrals following assessment by ELFT IAPT clinicians, managing the waiting list effectively to keep waiting times at an acceptable level, and delivering effective therapy to help service users to achieve a Recovery outcome, as defined in the IAPT manual. The service will provide brief counselling), recording the IAPT minimum data set at each appointment, with a target to deliver at least 480 attended appointments per month; (typically approximately 120-150 people are referred to the counselling service each month). The provider will operate as an integral part of the IAPT service and adhere to its performance, operational, and safeguarding standards. Currently the service is delivered largely by a workforce of volunteers, supervised and coordinated by paid staff; it is anticipated that this approach would continue but innovative alternatives will be considered. The successful provider will be required to appoint a dedicated clinical delivery manager to oversee delivery, who be jointly reporting to both the Clinical Lead for Tower Hamlets Talking Therapies and the successful provider. This consist of expert employment support for IAPT service uses in Tower Hamlets who need assistance to find, retain or return to work following a period of ill-health. The successful provider’s employment advisers will be expected to record activity on the Trust’s clinical record system in line with the DWP ‘Employment Advisers in IAPT’ programme (typically around 50-60 people start Employment Support interventions each month). Employment advisers will work with service users during and/or after their course of psychological therapies treatment with the core IAPT service, working towards a positive employment outcome, and will liaise with IAPT clinicians as required to ensure a safe and high quality service. The service is provided by paid employment advisers funded through the DWP scheme; as funding is currently not fixed on a long-term basis there is potential for staff numbers to be increased or reduced in line with the availability of DWP funding for the programme.