NHS England South East - Liaison and Diversion and Reconnect Services

NHS England (NHSE) South East, ("the Commissioner") are seeking Provider(s) who have the capability and capacity to deliver non-custodial services, specifically Liaison & Diversion and RECONNECT services, across the South East of England NHSE region.

The non-custodial programmes focus on appropriate diversion, support, and recovery of those entering the criminal justice system (Liaison & Diversion) through to and on release from a secure setting (RECONNECT). The non-custodial programmes provide a continuous pathway of support for individuals, ensuring communication and information sharing across the non-custodial programme interfaces and thereby supporting the individual's access to treatment and support across the pathway.

The services will aim to improve health and criminal justice outcomes for children, young people and adults who come into contact with the youth and criminal justice systems.

The procurement is split across five geographic lots, with the following corresponding maximum annual lot values:

The contract duration will be for seven years, with services due to commence on 1st April 2024.

The total maximum combined lot value over the life of the seven-year contract is £102.6m.

Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services aim to provide early intervention for vulnerable individuals (both young people and adults) as they come to the attention of the criminal justice system. L&D services provide a prompt response to concerns raised by the police, probation service, youth offending teams or court staff, and provide critical information to decision-makers in the justice system, in real time, when it comes to charging and sentencing these vulnerable people. L&D also acts as a point of referral and assertive follow up for these service users, to ensure they can access, and are supported to attend, further help.

RECONNECT is a care after custody service that seeks to improve the continuity of care of individuals with an identified health need leaving prison or an Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). This involves working with them before they leave to support their transition to community-based services, thereby safeguarding health gains made whilst in prison or an IRC.

RECONNECT services aim to improve the wellbeing of people leaving prison or IRCs, reduce inequalities, address health-related drivers of offending behaviours and/or absconding. Whilst not a service which provides clinical interventions, the RECONNECT service offers liaison, advocacy, signposting, and support to those leaving prison or IRCs to support engagement in community- based health and support services.

TUPE implications are likely to apply to all areas; workforce information is available upon request during the tender period.