Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Lincolnshire County Council
County Offices, Newland
Lincoln
LN1 1YL
Contact
Mrs Lynda Whitton
lynda.whitton@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1522554860
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKF3 - Lincolnshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://procontract.due-north.com
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Children and Young People's Online Mental Health Support Service
Reference number
DN696820
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Customer requires the Supplier to deliver and promote an Online Mental Health Support service for children and young people (CYP) in Lincolnshire who are aged 11-18 (increasing to age 25 for Care Leavers and those with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND)) that have emotional wellbeing or mental health concerns.
The web based service will incorporate online text-based chat and 1:1 support, moderated group chat sessions, forums and message boards, advice on a wide range of topics including things like managing exam stress, healthy relationships, anxiety, depression and bullying and signposting to other CYP Mental Health (CYPMH) services.
The service will increase access and uptake of mental health support Lincolnshire CYP, with a particular emphasis on ensuring equality for minority or vulnerable groups such as Children in Care or those with SEND.
The service will improve the self-reported mental health and emotional wellbeing of users in a demonstrable way, will encourage the exploration and understanding of mental health and reduce the stigma associated with accessing services.
The service will build resilience amongst CYP, giving them the skills to cope with life challenges and adversities.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85300000 - Social work and related services
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKF3 - Lincolnshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Children and Young People’s Online Mental Health Support Service
Purpose of the Service
The Customer requires the Supplier to deliver and promote an Online Mental Health Support service for children and young people (CYP) in Lincolnshire who are aged 11-18 (increasing to age 25 for Care Leavers and those with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND)) that have emotional wellbeing or mental health concerns. The web based service will incorporate online text-based chat and 1:1 support, moderated group chat sessions, forums and message boards, advice on a wide range of topics including things like managing exam stress, healthy relationships, anxiety, depression and bullying and signposting to other CYP Mental Health (CYPMH) services. The service will increase access and uptake of mental health support Lincolnshire CYP, with a particular emphasis on ensuring equality for minority or vulnerable groups such as Children in Care or those with SEND. The service will improve the self-reported mental health and emotional wellbeing of users in a demonstrable way, will encourage the exploration and understanding of mental health and reduce the stigma associated with accessing services. The service will build resilience amongst CYP, giving them the skills to cope with life challenges and adversities.
Service Detail
User Group and Eligibility for the Service
4.1.1 All CYP aged 11 to 18 (increasing to age 25 for Care Leavers and those with SEND)
living or attending education within the county boundaries of Lincolnshire who have
emotional wellbeing or mental health concerns.
4.1.2 Any CYP below 11 years or above 19 years who is not a Care Leaver or has no SEND
need will not be eligible for the service but should be signposted to relevant local support.
4.1.3 Existing service users in the process of receiving counselling support that reach the
upper age limit shall be able to continue to access a service until a counsellor feels the
concern they presented with has been sufficiently managed. Support with transition to
other local adult’s services shall be provided where the service user would meet service
access thresholds.
Access to the Service
4.2.1 The service shall be accessed by registration to the Suppliers website. Registration
details requested from service users shall not include names or identifiable information
but shall require service users to stipulate which Lincolnshire town they live closest to
and other data such as ethnicity, gender identity and age. Any eligible CYP wishing to
access this service shall be able to do so in accordance with the criteria in Section 4.1.
4.2.2 Where the Supplier feels that a service user’s needs may be better met via another
service they shall work with the service user to encourage them to access another
appropriate service. This can include such assistance as contacting other services to
seek advice on how CYP can access support and then signposting the CYP
appropriately. It is understood that the Supplier shall not be required to persistently
recommend a service user accesses another service where this would be detrimental to
their engagement with this service.
4.2.3 When a service user is likely to meet the threshold for accessing one of the CYPMH
services in Lincolnshire, the Supplier will support the service user to access the service
and will provide information and signposting on the referral process.
Service Detail
4.3.1 The service is being commissioned in recognition that CYP may need help, support and
guidance in relation to short-lived, low to moderate level mental health concerns. Such
concerns may affect the psychological and emotional well-being of CYP causing concern
to themselves, their families and friends.
General
4.3.4. The Supplier shall provide an Online Mental Health Support service that is accessed via
a CYP friendly, safe and easy to use website, accessible from a range of devices, including mobile phones, desktop computers and tablets. The online platform will be secure and allow a secure exchange of communication between the Supplier and service user, and include:
4.3.4.1. Online, live, text-based chats between a service user and qualified mental health professionals (psychotherapists, counsellors etc). Waiting times from request for chat to commencement of chat should be no more than 30 minutes (to be reviewed quarterly).
CYP will be advised of the time remaining to speak to a practitioner.
4.3.4.2. Bookable 1:1 online support sessions for service users with qualified mental health
professionals (for example psychotherapists, counsellors etc). Sessions shall be booked at times convenient for the service user and should always be with the same professional for continuity of care, except where it is felt a change in professional will be beneficial to a service user’s outcomes.
4.3.4.3. Group chat functions and themed message forums for service users based on particular
themes and issues that affect CYP’s emotional and mental health. All chat and message forums shall be moderated for content which is deemed inappropriate or unhelpful prior to publishing. Forums should reflect topics identified as of interest from the CYP themselves.
4.3.4.4. Moderated journals whereby service users can maintain private journals moderated by a
trained practitioner.
4.3.4.5. A range of self-care units, guidance or modules that CYP can read online, or download,
with advice, tips and help on topics such as exam stress, anxiety and mindfulness. These units should be regularly maintained and developed in conjunction with CYP.
4.3.4.6. Mechanisms for service users to set therapeutic aims and measure their own progress
and outcomes using self-determined, change-focussed and goal-orientated plans in collaboration with and supported by qualified practitioners.
4.3.4.7. Utilisation of an outcome measurement tool to provide tangible evidence of service user
improvement as a result of accessing the service.
4.3.4.8. Interim support for those waiting to receive a specialist mental health intervention plus
top-up support if required post-intervention, including those CYP transitioning from inpatient care to community care, as part of a wider universal support offer.
4.3.4.9. Signposting to other local services for CYP where service users may benefit from face-
to-face support or require more specialist intervention. This could include such services as CAMHS specialist mental health support, the Healthy Minds Lincolnshire Service, Mental Health Support Teams, Lincolnshire Integrated Sexual Health Service and Children and Young People's Nurses. This may also include signposting to the Customer’s Emotional Wellbeing Pathway, an online hosted website with self-care advice and an overview of locally available universal and targeted services.
4.3.4.10. Service users shall be able to return to the service at any time until they reach the upper
age limit and they shall never be considered ‘closed’ cases. If a service user has set and achieved their own goals this shall be considered a key milestone from which applicable performance data can be obtained e.g. improvement from start of intervention to end of intervention.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 April 2024
End date
31 March 2026
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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
Open 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 tenders or requests to participate
Date
19 December 2023
Local time
4:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
19 December 2023
Local time
4:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of England and Wales
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom