NHS England South West - Co-production Coordination and Additional Specialist Trauma Counselling Capacity for Adults who have experienced Sexual Violence in Avon & 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 co-production of the Avon and Somerset sexual violence support services pathway and provision of additional specialist trauma counselling for adults who have experienced sexual violence with the most complex trauma. 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: Co-production coordination The provider will develop the pathway's embedded co-production model ensuring that service users and people with lived experience are at the heart of decision making and service delivery across the region, which will be led by experienced co-production professional/s. Scope: Additional specialist trauma counselling capacity The provider will build upon existing provision in the Avon and Somerset pathway to address specific barriers to support, expand the current service offer to include specialist trauma interventions and address accessibility issues. The services will be for people 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.