Specialized Citizens Advice Service to those with Severe Mental Health illness

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice and is intended to provide notice of NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board's ("the ICB") intention to award a 28 month contract term, for the provision of a specialized Citizens Advice Service to those with Severe Mental Health illness, that require additional support to access services regarding finance issues across West Suffolk Alliance.

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency notice and is intended to provide notice of the ICB's intention to award a 28-month contract (from 1st December 2024 - 31st March 2027).

The contract value of the 28 month period is £238,334.

It is the ICB's intention to award this contract to the existing supplier.

The Supported Advice Service was created in 2020 to help people with poor mental health and severe mental illnesses overcome practical problems that have become both sources of stress and obstacles to recovery. People referred into the service have an enhanced level of support over core services. The caseworkers receive specialist training in mental health awareness and communication skills, so they are better able to work with this cohort of people. They coordinate the advice process; provide support and encouragement; liaise with external organisations; and plan onward referrals to appropriate partners. Citizens Advice objectives are to reduce the duration of the advice process and to minimise disengagement. People will then have the best chance of overcoming the non-clinical issues that have become impediments to improving their health. This will result in a reduction in repeat GP visits, hospitalisation and reliance on health and care services. Citizens Advice hold the Advice Quality Standard, are accredited to the Money Advice and Pension Service Framework and registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The ICB deem that there is a clear benefit to be gained from maintaining continuity with the incumbent service provider.

The ICB will award the contract utilising the NHS Standard Contract for the provision of healthcare services.

The Authority will observe a 10-day standstill from the date of publication of this VEAT, during which the Authority will not enter into any arrangement.