NHS England South West - Specialist Counselling to Reduce Health Inequalities and a Befriending Service for Women who have experienced Sexual Violence in Avon and Somerset

This notice is placed to set out NHS England South West's (the Commissioner's) intention to follow the Most Suitable Provider Process.
NHS England South West is commissioning specialist counselling services to address health inequalities, specifically for refugees, asylum seekers and Deaf women, and the provision of a 'Befriending' service, for women who have experienced sexual violence. This provision is for the area of Avon and Somerset, to continue the work of the 'Avon and Somerset Enhanced Mental Health Pathfinder' which has been running since 2022. The intention is to move from 'proof of concept' stage to an ongoing model of delivery based on proven outcomes. The Commissioner, is seeking a provider/s who are suitable and capable to continue the delivery of this work. Scope: Specialist 'health inequalities' counselling service for women, specifically refugees, asylum-seekers, and Deaf women. Scope: The Befriending service to provide isolated women with complex mental health needs with a befriender.
The services will be for women aged 18 and over. The contract will commence on 1st April 2025. The contract will expire on 30th September 2029. Those delivering the services must be qualified and registered with the relevant bodies, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). The provider must have experience of delivering services within the sexual violence support services pathway within Avon and Somerset, and have established links and networks to enable collaborative working and integrated delivery. The Provider must be able to mobilise by the contract start date. Services will be contracted using the latest version of the NHS Standard Contract. This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.