Individual Placement and Support for Severe Mental Illness (IPS for SMI) – Greater Manchester

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU), on behalf of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (referred to as the ‘Authority’), is inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to express an interest to potentially participate in a tender for Individual Placement and Support for Severe Mental Illness (IPS for SMI), in the Greater Manchester Area; greater details of the Programme can be found on the NHS England Web Site. However, in summary the IPS for SMI is an employment support service integrated within secondary care mental health services to assist people who experience severe mental health conditions. It is an evidence-based programme that aims to help people find and retain employment. For the service user, the benefits of being in employment include improved mental health and wellbeing and a greater sense of purpose alongside regular income. For the health system benefits include an overall reduction in the use of primary and secondary mental health services, leading to improved efficiency and savings.

The Greater Management region is expansive consisting of 10 areas (map via the link provided). This programme is a priority for the region and will require collaborate with commissioners and other key local stakeholders to ensure effective delivery and achievement of outcomes. The initial plans are for the Authority to appoint a single provider to deliver the services across the region; and will require a provider to demonstrate a full understanding of IPS for SMI, the context within region and the diversity of populations in each area. Therefore, Potential Providers should ensure they are familiar with the IPS for SMI programme and assess their respective capacity and capability to provide services across the whole region, before expressing an interest to participate.