Employment Advisory Services in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Service

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust currently operates Improving Access Psychological Therapies (IAPT) Services to provide integrated psychological therapy and employment support to enable IAPT clients to retain return to and find employment. The Trust currently operates two IAPT services as follows:

1. Healthy Minds (Buckinghamshire);
2. TalkingSpace Plus (Oxfordshire)

Funding has become available through the Department Work and Pensions (DWP)

Work and Health Unit to increase the number of Employment Advisors and increase the capacity of employment support within the Healthy Minds and TalkingSpace Plus services. This is part of a large scale initiative to create a culture of prevention and early intervention, ensuring timely access to health and suitable employment support in order to avoid long-term unemployment. Both services are receiving investment to strengthen the employment advisory and support function within their established core IAPT service. This Provision will provide skills based interventions, information and practical support to help people receiving IAPT services and to also effectively contribute to supporting those with mental health problems to remain in, return to and gain employment. The Healthy Minds service has been designated Wave 1 pilot site status whilst TalkingSpace Plus is designated Wave 2 pilot site status.

The Trust requires a Supplier, or Suppliers, who can deliver Employment Advisory Services. Bidders may apply for one, or both of the following lots: Lot 1, Healthy Minds (Buckinghamshire); and Lot 2, TalkingSpace Plus (Oxfordshire).

Additional information:

The Authority is using the BravoSolution NHS Sourcing e-tendering portal to conduct the procurement process ("the e-Tendering Portal"). The e-Tendering Portal can be accessed https://www.nhssourcing.co.uk/OxfordHealthNHSFT/web/login.shtml All communications (including submission of Tenders) should be carried out via the e-Tendering Portal.