Community Based Alternative Crisis Support Service

As part of the urgent mental health care pathway, NHS North West London are recommissioning crisis alternative neighbourhood provisions (such as crisis cafés or safe space) to provide accessible places to support people, families and carers experiencing difficulties with their mental health. We require these services to be delivered by providers who are experts in the areas where provision is based, and understand the local needs and challenges of the community. The contract value will be for a maximum annual value of £1.76million (£1million for residents in Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster and £0.76m for Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith and Fulham residents) and it is intended this will run for a 3 year period.

The service will be a non-clinical service which will offer an open access safe space and calm environment for people who are experiencing mental health distress, in crisis, or need mental health advice. Without requiring an appointment, the provision will offer drop-in support, a warm drink, a listening ear, practical assistance, and the ability to refer or direct individuals to additional services if needed. The services will provide immediate practical support to reduce mental health distress and guide those with complex or urgent needs to the appropriate urgent care services. They help individuals manage their distress, develop healthy coping strategies, and ultimately aim to instil hope, self-worth, and purpose.

NHS North West London is seeking to commission an organisation who can co-produce seven/eight community crisis alternative services, with our Experts by Experience (EBE) advisors, service users and carers, to be based in geographical locations across North West London boroughs. The services would form part of the CNWL & WLT mental health pathway alongside statutory services to bolster mental health support to CNWL service users (16+) and WLT service users 18+.
A core outcome for North West London is ‘to reduce A&E attendances’ with particular attention to High Intensity Users. It is vitally important that this service meets the needs of patients that frequently attend emergency settings if their needs could be met in a nonmedical environment. The provider will be expected to work with Liaison psychiatry teams and SPA’s to ensure access and outreach to particular service users is in place.