Peer coaching pilot in the mental health crisis pathway

Commissioners had timebound NHS England Transformation funding available in for 2020/21 to pilot a new approach to peer coaching in the mental health crisis pathway and due to the short term nature of the funding and the partnership approach required, a competitive process is neither practical nor desirable.

Commissioners applied a set criteria against the local provider market that tested the ability of providers to meet the objectives of the pilot and mobilise swiftly within the time limited funding period. Voiceability, as a local VCS provider delivering similar services, were the local provider that met all the criteria. It is proposed that the pilot commences on 1st April 2020 for one year.

Following the development and evaluation of the pilot, commissioners intend to competitively tender for a worked up peer coaching service, giving the market the opportunity to deliver the fully formed service.

The pilot will embed peer coaches (local people with lived experience of mental illness) into the crisis pathway, supporting people who have had a period of mental illness/distress link back into their local community and define their personal recovery. This person centred, evidence based approach strongly aligns with Our Camden Plan, strengths based practice and Camden's local implementation of the NHS Long Term Plan.