Scope
Reference
250083
Description
Queen's have a requirement for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services. The University's requirements have been spilt into the following two Lots:
Lot 1: Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme
The University is fully committed to the wellbeing of its staff and recognises that many staff have competing demands on their time and resources, both inside and outside work.
The importance of achieving and maintaining a satisfactory work/life balance is fundamental to the maintenance of good health and wellbeing, and counselling has been shown to be of benefit to those who are in need of support and guidance on a wide variety of personal, social and occupational issues.
The Employee Assistance Programme will supplement the other sources of support to staff which include their line management, the People and Culture Directorate, the Occupational Health Service, Trade Union advisers etc.
The current service usage includes approximately 720 personal counselling sessions delivered to approximately 160 new clients per year, using a maximum six session counselling model. Counselling is mainly delivered face to face, but telephone and online video sessions must also be allowed.
Lot 2: Provision of a Student Counselling Hub
By working in partnership with the University's Student Wellbeing and Accessible Learning Support the Supplier will be required to mobilise their diverse and inclusive workforce to provide an effective, timely, confidential and professional psychological therapy and support service through a 'matched stepped care model'.
In addition, the Supplier will have responsible for:
• Appropriate signposting and onward referral to NHS or third sector providers for specialist or longer-term support for complex cases.
• Clinical governance
• Service marketing and accessibility
• Delivery in partnership with the University
Please note that provision of services under Lot 2 is to Queen's University registered students only and does not include students from University Colleges or INTO Queen's.
Suppliers are invited to tender for one or both Lots. There are no restrictions on how many Lots a Supplier can apply for. Each Lot will be evaluated independently against the evaluation criteria as set out in the Tender Response Pack and Queen's reserves the right to award each lot separately. The award in respect of each Lot shall be made to one Supplier.
Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1: Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme
Description
The University is seeking to appoint a Supplier to deliver an Employee Assistance Programme in Queen's University Belfast.The Supplier must provide the core requirements which must include, but not limited to:1. Telephone Triage and Support Services2. Counselling Services3. Online Wellbeing Support Hub4. Trauma and Critical Incident Support5. Management Support Services6. Manager support and advice7. Case Management8. Health and wellbeing promotion and awareness9. Publicity and awareness of serviceThe goal is to:• provide professional, confidential, and accessible support services to improve staff wellbeing.• focus on mental health, financial wellbeing, legal guidance, and workplace challenges,• ensure employees receive timely and effective support.This aligns with Queen's commitment to fostering a healthy and engaged workforce.
Lot LOT-0002. Lot 2: Provision of a Student Counselling Hub
Description
The University is seeking to appoint a supplier to deliver Student Counselling services via a Student Counselling Hub.The goal is to :- complement existing nontherapeutic supports offered through University support services.- Deliver a psychological therapy and support service through a 'matched stepped care model' that empowers students as healthy learners to manage their mental health, build resilience, and develop practical coping strategies.Supports required include:o On-line self-help resource platform that equips students with self-help tools to manage their mental health independently.o Guided self-help to support students to implement strategieso Short-term, solution-focused talking therapy counselling for studentso 24/7 helplineo low intensity group work and psycho education workshopso "Out of Hours" Support callsIn addition, the Supplier will have responsible for:• Appropriate signposting and onward referral to NHS or third sector providers for specialist or longer-term support for complex cases.• Clinical governance• Service marketing and accessibility• Delivery in partnership with the University
Contract 1. Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, Lot 1 - Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme
Lots
Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1: Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme
Supplier
Contract value
- £300,000 excluding VAT
- £360,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
11 November 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
11 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 21 November 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
25 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 11 January 2026 to 10 January 2029
- Possible extension to 10 January 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
The Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months .
This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
options to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
CPV classifications
- 85312320 - Counselling services
- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
Contract 2. Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, Lot 2 - Provision of a Student Counselling Hub
Lots
Lot LOT-0002. Lot 2: Provision of a Student Counselling Hub
Supplier
Contract value
- £2,115,000 excluding VAT
- £2,538,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
11 November 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
11 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 21 November 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
25 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 11 January 2026 to 10 January 2029
- Possible extension to 10 January 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
The Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months .
This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
options to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.
CPV classifications
- 85312320 - Counselling services
- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
Information about tenders
Lot LOT-0001. Lot 1: Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme
- 4 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 1 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot LOT-0002. Lot 2: Provision of a Student Counselling Hub
- 4 tenders received
- 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Supplier
Spectrum Wellness UK Ltd
- Companies House: 11815511
9 Stevenson Square
Manchester
M1 1DB
United Kingdom
Email: bids@spectrum.life
Region: UKD33 - Manchester
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, Lot 1 - Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme
Contract 2. Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, Lot 2 - Provision of a Student Counselling Hub
Contracting authority
Queen's University Belfast
- Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: 101788
University Rd
Belfast
BT7 1NN
United Kingdom
Contact name: Fei Li Toh
Email: procurement@qub.ac.uk
Website: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/queensuniversitybelfast/aspx/Home
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland