Provision of a Digital Mental Health Support Service for Young People in Berkshire West to Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board

Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & West Berkshire (BOB) Integrated Care Board (ICB) seeks to commission a Digital Mental Health Support Service for Young People in Berkshire West.

The service is for young people who live or go to school in Berkshire West aged 11-17 years (up to the 18th birthday). The service will adopt a no wrong door policy. Any young person under the age of 11 years (not yet had their 11th birthday) or aged 18 years and over will be signposted to more appropriate services.

Children whose needs are deemed too complex for direct work with the Digital Service criteria will be signposted to a more appropriate service. The Digital Service will work with the CYP/Family/Carer to find the most suitable service, likely to be CAMHS.

The service will provide secure and moderated digital tools created in collaboration with young people and which are appropriately integrated with family, educational and clinical intervention. The tools will consist of, as a minimum, a secure, moderated website, an App (with iOS and Android functionality) and a range of moderated forums to offer young people an appropriate first point of entry including:

• chat function for a young person to 'speak' to someone, including supportive peers;
• a messaging function for young people to contact the service;
• live discussion groups - run by professionals and with all comments moderated, to enable groups of young people to interact with each other in a safe environment;
• step-up options which will support young people experiencing, or at risk of deteriorating emotional health and wellbeing with the ability to connect with a qualified clinician via digital option to prevent levels of distress rising;
• evidence-based practice including brief psychological interventions carried out by trained professionals;
• Activities on the site for young people to download;
• A social media presence.

The digital tools need to provide comprehensive and safe digital solution and tools that are young person-friendly which empower young people to take control of their mental health and wellbeing.

The online services must be up and running by the start of the contract on 1st July 2023.

Additional information: Atamis: Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link:

health-family.force.com/s/Welcome ↗

The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but is instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).

The tendering process will be conducted in accordance with the requirements and flexibilities provided by Articles 74 to 76 of the Directive, and Regulations 74 to 76 of the Regulations. The Authority will run a transparent tender process, treating all Bidders equally. For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority will not be bound by the Regulations or any other regulations or legislation except for the specific parts or circumstances that apply to the procurement of these Services.

The Contracting Authority intends to voluntarily observe the award decision notices provisions and 10 day standstill period described in Regulation 86 of the Regulations. Unsuccessful Bidders will receive scores and reasons for the decision, including the characteristics and relative advantages of the winning bid and the reasons why the Bidder/application was unsuccessful. Deadline for lodging of appeals should be in accordance with Regulation 87 and Regulation 91 of the Regulations.

This process is being managed by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit on behalf of the ICB.