Tender

Forensics Advocacy Service

  • East London NHS foundation Trust

F01: Prior information notice (call for competition)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-012561

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04fc17 (view related notices)

Published 2 April 2025, 3:00pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

East London NHS foundation Trust

The Robert Dolan House

london

E18DE

Contact

Harpreet bhachu

Email

harpreet.bhachu2@nhs.net

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKI42 - Tower Hamlets

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/

Buyer's address

https://www.elft.nhs.uk/

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at

https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Health


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Forensics Advocacy Service

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Statutory advocacy is required when service users are legally entitled to an advocate. This applies to all inpatients in the Forensic Service and also too many community patients, due to them being subject to the Mental Health Act (1983). For this reason, an Independent Mental Health Act Advocate (IMHA) service is provided to patients of the ELFT Forensic Service by The Advocacy Project, which is commissioned by London Borough of Hackney

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £120,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 85323000 - Community health services
  • 85312320 - Counselling services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKI42 - Tower Hamlets

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Statutory advocacy is required when service users are legally entitled to an advocate. This applies to all inpatients in the Forensic Service and also too many community patients, due to them being subject to the Mental Health Act (1983). For this reason, an Independent Mental Health Act Advocate (IMHA) service is provided to patients of the ELFT Forensic Service by The Advocacy Project, which is commissioned by London Borough of Hackney. If a service user has been assessed as having a lack of mental capacity in relation to making a specific decision about their lives, a best interests decision is made under the Mental Capacity Act and this is supported by an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate, as required within the Mental Capacity Act (2015), which is also provided by The Advocacy Project. Finally, Care Act Advocacy is provided by The Advocacy Project in relation to the Care Act (2014).
Additional advocacy can be provided outside the above legal frameworks. This can be provided to all service users, whether or not the above legislation applies to them. Additional advocacy can be provided by a paid advocate or volunteer. Many providers of statutory advocacy are able to offer additional advocacy and have the relevant skills and experience to do so effectively.
Additional advocacy can be provided either on an individual or group basis, in order to support service users in being able to speak up for themselves. This could support longer-term advocacy support and help service users in speaking out in meetings, accompanied if needed, and writing letters to raise concerns and complaints.
East London NHS Foundation Trust wishes to sub-contract a provider to provide an additional Advocacy Service for the Forensic Directorate.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £120,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

24

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

The Preferred provider(s) shall be awarded a contract for 2 years + option of 1 x 12 months extension

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Restricted procedure

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest

Date

7 April 2025

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

NHS England

7&8 Wellington Place

Leeds

LS1 4AP

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.england.nhs.uk//