Children & Young People's Therapeutic Health Based Coaching - Essex wide

This is a Contract Award Notice to communicate a contract award made by the Contracting Authority; Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, (hereinafter referred to as "the Authority") in compliance with their local standing financial instructions (SFIs).

On 6th December 2023, the Authority published a Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency Notice (VEAT) (Reference 2023/S 000-036014) to inform the market of its intention to award the contract. The Authority applied a voluntary 10-day standstill period prior to conclusion of the contract. The contract award is made to National Online Wellbeing Services Ltd T/A NOWs The Time for Change for the provision of Children & Young People's Therapeutic Health Based Coaching services.

On 3rd February 20023, a procurement process was launched to identify a supplier to deliver the services. A contract was not awarded at the end of this process and therefore, to ensure continuity of care for patients, an emergency short-term contract was awarded to NOW as the incumbent supplier (reference: 2023/S 000-016932). This contract began on 1st April 2023 and is due to expire on 31st March 2024.

HWE ICB are now intending to award a further contract to NOW to continue to deliver the services. This contract will start on 1st April 2024 and will end on 31st March 2027 with the option to extend for a further 2-years to 31st March 2029.

The total cumulative spend until March 2024 will be £1,253,302 (excluding VAT and excluding the value of the proposed new contract).

The value of the new contract for a period of 3-years is £1,220,400 (£406,800 p/a excluding VAT) and may rise to £2,034,000 (excluding VAT) if the optional extension is enacted.

The Therapeutic Health Based Coaching Service will deliver support to parents and carers of children and young people who live in Essex and who have been in contact with the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Children's and Adolescent Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) and are receiving treatment.

The service will deliver a Primary Schools Wellbeing Programme - specifically for primary school children teaching them the tools and techniques of mindfulness, stress reduction and emotional wellbeing through interactive workshops, as well as Therapeutic health-based coaching to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health of children young people and their families.

The service will also act as an additional support element for families who are experiencing anxiety, depression or require support in their current situation.