Planning

Prison Democratic Therapeutic Communities – Integrated Quality Audit Processes

  • Ministry of Justice

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-029148

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0519d6 (view related notices)

Published 2 June 2025, 1:29pm



Scope

Description

Democratic Therapeutic Communities (DTCs) in His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) including Therapeutic Communities Plus (TC+) for offenders with Learning Disabilities (LD) are a recognised offending behaviour programme designed with the aim of reducing reoffending, some having been in existence within the prison system for more than 50 years. They form part of the National Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway, jointly commissioned between HMPPS and NHS England, offering a pathway of interventions for male and female offenders with complex needs.

There are currently 14 DTCs operating in the Prison Service; 11 of these delivering the DTC core model within five establishments; and three delivering the TC+ model.

DTCs in prisons aim to reduce re-offending through challenging offence-related risk factors. They address the interpersonal problems, attitudes, thinking and emotions of offenders and aim to engage in treatment those who also have additional emotional and psychological needs.

DTCs can provide intervention for offenders with impaired psychological functioning and seek to engage offenders who may not be suitable to undertake other accredited Offending Behaviour Programmes. They are an intensive intervention - prisoners will be expected to remain in therapy for at least 18 months and more likely for two years. Therefore, places in DTCs are normally reserved for offenders serving longer sentences, who have a higher likelihood of re-offending, or who are judged to present a high risk of harm to others.

DTCs have a strong evidence base underpinning their theoretical model of change that should be delivered in accordance with a set of manuals which have been accredited by the Correctional Services Accreditation Panel (CSAAP).

The prison DTCs participate in a mandatory integrated standards-based process of quality assurance processes. These processes require continued development to ensure an effective and appropriate means of measuring the therapeutic environment and the quality of the therapy delivered.

The MoJ requires a Supplier to design, develop, deliver and review an integrated standards-based audit and quality improvement process for all DTCs in HMPPS including TC+.

The service is to be delivered incorporating a full clinical audit, using specialist auditors, within each cycle that measures each DTC's compliance with the detailed and accredited operating models for reducing reoffending. This review process will provide a measure of the quality of the intervention as a DTC and its clinical integrity; additionally, it will provide an assessment of clinical performance and report to the Correctional Services Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP) in line with accreditation requirements.

The Supplier must also be able to provide avenues for shared learning for all HMPPS DTCs, support their overall development, provide workforce development opportunities for training and improvements in the clinical skills and knowledge of DTC staff and facilitate access to relevant knowledge and learning opportunities.

Critically, the clinical evaluation and quality improvement processes will need to be delivered through a methodology that is in keeping with the philosophy and values of the DTC model and will support the specific therapeutic and clinical requirements of its operation

If you are interested this opportunity and would like to see the full specification, please email us at MoJProcurement.Off@justice.gov.uk

Total value (estimated)

  • £300,000 excluding VAT
  • £360,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032
  • 6 years

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 79212000 - Auditing services
  • 85121270 - Psychiatrist or psychologist services
  • 80430000 - Adult-education services at university level

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Engagement

Engagement deadline

30 June 2025

Engagement process description

We are inviting suppliers to register their interest with this opportunity by emailing MoJProcurement.Off@justice.gov.uk.

We will share the specification with you and arrange a 1-1 virtual meeting

This is at pre-procurement stage where we are looking to work with the market to understand capability and appetite for the future tender that aims to be live later this year.


Participation

Particular suitability

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

7 July 2025


Contracting authority

Ministry of Justice

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNN-2773-HVYN

102 Petty France

London

SW1H 9AJ

United Kingdom

Region: UKI32 - Westminster

Organisation type: Public authority - central government