UOS-S00974 - Student Assistance Program

For the purpose of this tender, we require the supplier to provide services to students at our Ipswich campus (approx. 3500 students) which include international, undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship, and PhD students, spread across full-time and part-time courses. Students live both on and off campus and represent a truly diverse community. Many students commute to campus from within the county, neighbouring counties, and London. Our health provision also means that students spend a proportion of their course in placement settings.

At Suffolk, in line with the national picture, we have seen a significant growth in the demand for student mental health services. Nearly 1 in 4 young people will experience suicidal feelings at least once in their lives. 1 in 20 will try and take their own life.

We are committed to the prevention of suicide, a safe campus and our work is aligned to Student Minds University Mental Health Charter principles. Our aim is to make mental health and wellbeing a topic that every student feels comfortable talking about.

We are currently under contract for this service. However, the contract term will be ending on 31 December 2025. We are conducting this tender process in preparation for a new contract term, and it is vitally important that there is no gap in service. We expect any new provider to commence delivery on 1 January 2026.

The Contractor will deliver counselling and emotional wellbeing services to the students that are registered with the University of Suffolk, Ipswich campus, including students on intermission but excluding students from any partnership arrangements.

Services will be made available as per the terms set out within this invitation to tender and any subsequent contract.