Scope
Description
The Place Based Partnership within North East London (NEL) has identified key priority areas to enhance local mental health acute pathways. This initiative aims to develop effective community alternatives to hospital admission for residents experiencing a mental health crisis. The North East London Joint Forward Plan emphasises prevention, leveraging community assets, and providing person-centered, integrated care. The goal is to support more individuals in appropriate settings outside of hospitals, ensuring that those in crisis receive timely and suitable support. A significant focus is placed on improving mental health crisis management and offering alternatives to hospital admission. This ensures that high-quality inpatient care is available for those who truly need it, aligning with the principle of delivering the right support at the right time and place. The scope of services varies across localities, and a procurement process via Lots has been established to cater to the specific needs of each Local Borough and its demographics. This approach also fosters collaboration with Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) partners, enhancing the overall benefit to service users. VCSE (Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise) partners will play a crucial role in the Place Based Partnership within NELFT. Their involvement will include: Service Delivery: VCSE organisations will provide community-based services that offer alternatives to hospital admission. These services might include crisis intervention, counselling, peer support, and other mental health support programs tailored to local needs. Collaboration and Integration: VCSE partners will work closely with NELFT and other healthcare providers to ensure a seamless integration of services. This collaboration aims to create a cohesive support network that can respond effectively to mental health crises. Community Engagement: VCSE organisations often have strong ties to the local community and can engage residents in mental health initiatives. They can help raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage individuals to seek help early. Tailored Support: By understanding the unique demographics and needs of each locality, VCSE partners can offer personalised support that aligns with the specific challenges faced by different communities. Innovation and Flexibility: VCSE organisations can bring innovative approaches to mental health care, offering flexible and responsive services that can adapt to changing needs and circumstances. Overall, the involvement of VCSE partners is essential for building a comprehensive, community-centered approach to mental health care that prioritises prevention, early intervention, and support outside of hospital settings.
The service is for Havering adult residents or those presenting to Havering emergency services who perceive themselves to be in, or at risk of moving into, mental health crisis (self-defined). This is the defining criteria for the service and robust screening procedures will be required that ensure access and prioritisation of those in most need. Those with multiple needs and co-morbidities are to be welcomed provided that the primary need is mental health crisis.
Access to the service will normally be direct access by self-presentation. Prior to operation partner agencies will make people aware of the service and introduce people via referral pathways. Havering Crisis Café will support people in crisis to better self-manage their symptoms and distress in a safe and appropriate environment. This will improve access to Mental Health services as an alternative to ED attendances. To reduce activity in Emergency Departments and the wider system including mental health services, police and ambulance services.
The key objectives will be to:
• Provide a non-stigmatising, calm and safe environment.
• Provide support to help people resolve their crisis.
• Provide practical and emotional support to enable the service users and carers to better self- manage their distress, aid their recovery, and reduce dependency.
• Ensure that support staff, peer supporters and volunteers are trained, supported and professional in their approach.
• Operate as an alternative to Emergency Departments and other emergency services for people experiencing a mental health crisis that does not require medical intervention.
• Link with the wider service system to ensure a joined-up partnership approach to the development of local services.
Havering Crisis Café will support people in crisis to better self-manage their symptoms and distress in a safe and appropriate environment. This will improve access to Mental Health services as an alternative to Emergency Departments attendances. To reduce activity in Emergency Departments and the wider system including mental health services, police and ambulance services.
The service will provide immediate, focused and time-limited emotional and practical support to people experiencing a mental health crisis that does not require clinical input. Experiencing an active psychosis requiring a higher level of input/trained staff to manage their specific needs. It will work with people experiencing a range of different distress, including psychosis.
The support will consist of:
• Identifying coping strategies and improving wellbeing
• Information and signposting
• 1-1 conversations, group conversations and activities
• Limited follow-up
Lot a2iSr000005ma3JIAQ. Havering
Description
The service is for Havering adult residents or those presenting to Havering emergency services who perceive themselves to be in, or at risk of moving into, mental health crisis (self-defined). This is the defining criteria for the service and robust screening procedures will be required that ensure access and prioritisation of those in most need. Those with multiple needs and co-morbidities are to be welcomed provided that the primary need is mental health crisis.
Contract 1. NELFT - Crisis Alternatives - Havering
Lots
Lot a2iSr000005ma3JIAQ. Havering
Supplier
Contract value
- £982,604 excluding VAT
- £982,604 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
23 September 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
24 September 2025
Standstill period
- End: 3 October 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
8 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2027
- Possible extension to 30 November 2029
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
Optional 2 x 12 month extensions
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
Contract locations
- UKI52 - Barking & Dagenham and Havering
Information about tenders
Lot a2iSr000005ma3JIAQ. Havering
- 2 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 2 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lots that will not be awarded
Lot a2iSr000005mbiLIAQ. Waltham Forest
Description
This specification outlines the development of a Mental Health Crisis Alternative in Waltham Forest, a third sector-led service providing non-clinical, community-based mental health support. The service will focus on supporting those experiencing or wanting to prevent a self-defined mental health crisis who do not require immediate medical attention. It will offer timely interventions aimed at preventing escalation to statutory services like psychiatric liaison or emergency departments. This initiative aligns with local needs, addressing the unique demographic and socio-economic factors of Waltham Forest. Although the term 'Crisis Alternative' is used here, the name of the initiative will be decided in collaboration with service users and will highlight that the spaces are welcoming, homely and peaceful e.g. incorporating words such as 'sanctuary', 'haven', 'harbour', 'welcome', 'healing' 'connection'. We aim to create a new model of care that combines the community and social collaboration of the Trieste model with the relational culture of Open Dialogue. Our plan is to bring together our NHS community and crisis provision in a single site, combine it with a range of non-statutory services, as well as 6-8 beds for overnight/crisis stay and bring all parties together to co-design and co-deliver the service. The teams will include third sector services, religious groups, housing providers/associations and people with lived experience, who have been involved in the development of our plans from the beginning.
CPV classifications
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
Date of decision not to award
1 July 2025
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
HESTIA HOUSING AND SUPPORT
- Companies House: 02020165
- Charity Commission (England and Wales): 294555
Beaufort House 4th Floor, 15 St. Botolph Street
London
EC3A 7DT
United Kingdom
Email: businessdevelopment@hestia.org
Website: https://www.hestia.org/
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. NELFT - Crisis Alternatives - Havering
Contracting authority
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Organisation Data Service: RAT
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHHT-9556-BWJJ
CEME Centre - West Wing, Marsh Way
Essex
RM13 8GQ
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@nelft.nhs.uk
Region: UKI52 - Barking & Dagenham and Havering
Organisation type: Public authority - central government