NHS West Essex CCG as lead Commissioner for NHS Mid Essex, NHS Basildon and Brentwood, NHS Castle Point and Rochford and NHS Southend and NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Groups (The Authority) seeks suitably qualified and capable providers for the provision of this Transitions Service.

The maximum annual budget is £396,089. The service commencement date is 1st October 2022 for a term of 3 years plus the option to extend for a further 24 months.

The aim of this Transition Service is to provide young people moving from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), with a mental health support provision to other services (including primary care) to meet the needs of young service users before they may qualify for Adult Mental Health support provisions.

As per the Service Specification, this Transitions Service has been given its name based on the transition from Children and Adolescence to Adults Mental Health and Support provisions.

The point of transition from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) is recognised as a point of potential upheaval for young people who may find it difficult to navigate new service settings, or to manage their mental health following discharge from CAMHS, especially as the availability and offer of support can change dramatically from CAMHS to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) or voluntary sector services.

The transition out of CAMHS must be supported by a robust and coordinated multi-agency approach to transition planning. This process is further strengthened by early and effective planning, which may start as young as 15 or as late as 25 and putting the young person at the centre of the process to help them prepare. The process, in many ways a preparation for adulthood, will need to support young people to be as independent as possible. Despite this, services often remain poorly coordinated, and it is vulnerable service users and their families who are left to suffer.

The proposed contract term is for 36 months from 01st October 2022 to the 30th September 2025, with the option to extend for a further 24 months. The value within this Notice is a maximum limit of £1,980,445.00 which is inclusive of all options.

Please note, as of the 1st July 2022, the seven aforementioned CCG's will transition into three separate Integrated Care Boards (ICB's) namely; NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB, NHS Mid and South Essex ICB and NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, which will be named as the Contracting Authorities in any future Contract Award Notices associated with this procurement.