Individual Placement Support Service to Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board

Tender description

Individual placement and support (IPS) is an evidence-based model of supported employment. It has been rigorously trialled and has consistently outperformed all other tested forms of support for job seekers with severe and enduring mental health problems. The implementation of IPS has been part of the NHS Long Term Plan and preceding strategies for national mental health improvement for over 9 years and is a fundamental part of the ongoing transformation of community mental health (CMH) services. This Direct Award is for a 12 month continuation of IPS services across BSW, whilst a competitive procurement (to include expansion in to Primary Care) is undertaken in 2025/26. Lot 1: NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board ("the ICB") is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Waythrough in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 whilst commissioners undertake a competitive procurement. Individual placement and support (IPS) is an evidence-based model of supported employment. It has been rigorously trialled and has consistently outperformed all other tested forms of support for job seekers with severe and enduring mental health problems. The implementation of IPS has been part of the NHS Long Term Plan and preceding strategies for national mental health improvement for over 9 years and is a fundamental part of the ongoing transformation of community mental health (CMH) services. In 2019 NHSE launched IPS Grow in partnership with Social Finance, a not-for-profit organisation to implement this expansion. IPS Grow have developed national standards and guidelines and provided technical support and resources to IPS service providers. The majority of services focus on people with severe mental illness, but there are also services for those with drug and alcohol addiction and for people with other health issues. They work with a range of employment specialist, mental health experts and academics to support people with severe mental illness to find or stay in employment. The latest phase of the programme will run until 2029. IPS consists of intensive, individual support aiming to help people to gain and retain paid, competitive employment. Integrated within clinical teams, employment specialists challenge limiting beliefs about patients' capacity to work and promote and help secure work to help recovery. The principles of IPS are: 1. Finding paid secure employment 2. Eligibility for anyone who wants to work 3. Integration of IPS with mental health or other clinical services 4. Finding the client's choice of job 5. Accurate advice on earnings and benefits 6. Beginning the job search quickly 7. Meeting employers and developing jobs 8. In-work support for as long as required The contract is for 12 months (1st April'25 - 31st March'26) with an anticipated contract value of £710,995. This notice has been published by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.