Planning

Specialist Assessment service for individuals with Complex Care needs

  • NHS DEVON INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-062288

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05a83b

Published 3 October 2025, 4:09pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

NHS DEVON INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

Aperture House, Pynes Hill, Rydon Lane,

Exeter

EX25AZ

Email

d-icb.contracting@nhs.net

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

NHS Organisation Data Service

QJK

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://onedevon.org.uk/

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

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

Specialist Assessment service for individuals with Complex Care needs

Reference number

QJK-25-MSP-Specialist Assessor

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85100000 - Health services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

NHS Devon ICB is intending to commission a specialist assessor service. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB will also be able to use any subsequent contract. The service will require registered professional(s), with experience and detailed understanding of the CHC national framework, working on behalf of the Commissioners, with individuals, with long term complex care needs. The cohort is learning disability and mental health.

This service we are intending to commission is for a small number of placements that are placed out of county or very complex, and need a face to face assessment. This will be an independent assessment service, that will need to be face to face, assessing/reviewing the individuals, with complex care needs, their care and care plans and undertake CHC DST assessments. Considerations may need to be given to Best Interest decisions. The service will work alongside families and multi-agency organisations and providers of care.

The service will be paid for on a case by case basis. Contract value is anticipated to be a maximum of £51,000 (excluding VAT) per annum; with a contract duration of 2 years, with the option to extend by a maximum of 2 further years.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £204,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance

United Kingdom, location depending on need

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

NHS Devon ICB is intending to commission a specialist assessor service. The service will require registered professional(s), with experience and detailed understanding of the CHC national framework, working on behalf of the Commissioners, with individuals, with long term complex care needs. The cohort is learning disability and mental health.

This service we are intending to commission is for a small number of placements that are placed out of county or very complex, and need a face to face assessment. This will be an independent assessment service, that will need to be face to face, assessing/reviewing the individuals, with complex care needs, their care and care plans and undertake CHC DST assessments. Considerations may need to be given to Best Interest decisions. The service will work alongside families and multi-agency organisations and providers of care.

Below is a list of requirements, please note this list is not exhaustive:

• Registered professional Nursing or AHP

• A thorough understanding of the CHC national framework and experience of being a CHC assessor

• Adherence to agreed time frames

• Be able to travel anywhere in the country

• Attend meeting the person face to face and, where appropriate, also attend meetings face to face

• Be able to undertake their own admin - including organising MDTs, sending out letters to providers/ family etc

• Be able to collect all the salient documents/ assessments/ reviews profiles for the Decision Support Tool

• Excellent communication skills

• Excellent report writing skills

• Ideally NHS email already in place

• Understanding and ability to complete Mental Capacity Assessments and be experienced in being involved in Best Interest Decisions

• Experience of working with people who have a learning disability and mental health

• Experience of working/assessing/reviewing in MDT setting, and multi- agency organisations

• Experience with working with individuals with complex needs and their families and the organisations that provide complex packages of care

• Familiar with understanding consent documents and how to gain consent

• Able to complete succinct DSTs which are evidenced based

• Experience of working with complex needs

• Excellent working knowledge of Positive Behaviour Support, restrictive practice

• Good understanding of Delegated Health Tasks and recording how these are being managed

• Ability to manage conflict / difficult people

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Being able to be responsive to constructive feedback

• Being able to adapt to a changing environment

• Alter the Decision Support Tool after feedback

• Presenting at panel if required

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

24 November 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

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

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No


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 or the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.

NHS Devon ICB will be the award decision-makers. The award decision will be made by the ICB Procurement Oversight Group.

NHS Devon ICB intends to use the Most Suitable Provider process for this procurement. The ICB will not commence assessment of potential providers until 20th October 2025.