Provision of a Specialist Adult Substance Use Treatment Service 2027

Tender description

This notice is for the award of a Substance Use Treatment Service under Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime. This contract will replace the existing contract that expires on 31/03/2027. Lot 1: The Authority intends to award a contract for the Service to the existing provider pursuant to Direct Award Process C under Regulation 9 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 ("PSR"). This is a notice under Regulation 9 (3) of the Authority's intention to award the contract for the Service as described below to the existing provider. North Somerset Council currently holds a contract with We Are With You (With you) to provide treatment and support for individuals affected by drugs and alcohol. The current service is a single provider model providing a combined drug and alcohol service predominately for adults, with where required, advice and prescribing for young people alongside the Council's Substance Advise Service (SAS). A broad range of interventions are available including; advice and information, needle and syringe provision, blood borne virus (BBV) testing and vaccinations, naloxone provision including a peer led delivery service, one to one psychosocial interventions, a range of group programmes, prescribing for opiate substitution therapy and alcohol withdrawal and stabilisation, community detoxification, mental health support, and access to medically assisted and managed detoxification and residential treatment. The service performs well and exceeds many of the government ambitions including achieving a 17.5% increase in overall numbers in treatment over the last 4-years (44% increase in alcohol numbers and 27% increase in those using non-opiates). This is whilst maintaining an above national average for individuals making substantial progress in treatment. With You generally exceed national averages for engaging people in treatment within 3 weeks of leaving prison. Where engagement fluctuates and to address and alleviate issues With You's criminal justice team have developed a close working relationship with Prison and Probation services, including HMP Bristol. The new contract will commence on 1 April 2027, for a period of 5 years (60 months), with the option to extend for a further 2 years (24 months), depending on performance and the availability of funding. Current ring fenced funding is set to 31/3/28 at £2.2m per year, £15,400,000 in total over 7 years.