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Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services

Queen's University Belfast

This public procurement record has 8 releases in its history.

Award

30 Jan 2026 at 09:25

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
AwardUpdate

02 Dec 2025 at 13:19

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

27 Nov 2025 at 16:55

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

20 Nov 2025 at 15:54

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
AwardUpdate

12 Nov 2025 at 08:56

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

12 Nov 2025 at 08:54

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

18 Jul 2025 at 15:36

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

18 Jul 2025 at 15:30

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Queen's University Belfast has recently completed the procurement process for the provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services, aimed at enhancing the university's support infrastructure. The procurement process was divided into two lots: Lot 1, focusing on an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), and Lot 2, establishing a Student Counselling Hub. The tender followed an open procurement method, reflecting a commitment to fair competition. The contract is under the auspices of Northern Irish devolved regulations, demonstrating alignment with local governance standards. Following completion by Spectrum Wellness UK Ltd, it provides essential psychological support through both a preventative and immediate support framework. The contracts for these services were signed by the end of December 2025, with implementation starting January 2026, and have an initial term of three years, with a potential extension of an additional two years based on satisfactory reviews.

This tender creates significant business opportunities in the health and wellbeing sector, particularly for companies specializing in counselling services, mental health support, and employee wellness programs. The contract, which is of considerable value and extended duration, promises sustained engagement, thereby presenting growth prospects for large-scale suppliers. With specific innovation demands in service delivery, data analytics, and client engagement for both staff and students, companies that can offer advanced, tech-integrated solutions will find this tender particularly suited to expanding their business footprint. Additionally, as there is a provision for supplying either just one or both service lots, it allows flexibility for businesses looking to strategically enter or strengthen their position within the public sector wellbeing services market.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Contract for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services

Notice Description

Queen's have a requirement for the Provision of Staff and Student Counselling Services. The University's requirements have been spilt into the following two Lots: Lot 1: Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme The University is fully committed to the wellbeing of its staff and recognises that many staff have competing demands on their time and resources, both inside and outside work. The importance of achieving and maintaining a satisfactory work/life balance is fundamental to the maintenance of good health and wellbeing, and counselling has been shown to be of benefit to those who are in need of support and guidance on a wide variety of personal, social and occupational issues. The Employee Assistance Programme will supplement the other sources of support to staff which include their line management, the People and Culture Directorate, the Occupational Health Service, Trade Union advisers etc. The current service usage includes approximately 720 personal counselling sessions delivered to approximately 160 new clients per year, using a maximum six session counselling model. Counselling is mainly delivered face to face, but telephone and online video sessions must also be allowed. Lot 2: Provision of a Student Counselling Hub By working in partnership with the University's Student Wellbeing and Accessible Learning Support the Supplier will be required to mobilise their diverse and inclusive workforce to provide an effective, timely, confidential and professional psychological therapy and support service through a 'matched stepped care model'. In addition, the Supplier will have responsible for: * Appropriate signposting and onward referral to NHS or third sector providers for specialist or longer-term support for complex cases. * Clinical governance * Service marketing and accessibility * Delivery in partnership with the University Please note that provision of services under Lot 2 is to Queen's University registered students only and does not include students from University Colleges or INTO Queen's. Suppliers are invited to tender for one or both Lots. There are no restrictions on how many Lots a Supplier can apply for. Each Lot will be evaluated independently against the evaluation criteria as set out in the Tender Response Pack and Queen's reserves the right to award each lot separately. The award in respect of each Lot shall be made to one Supplier.

Lot Information

Lot 1: Provision of an Employee Assistance Programme

The University is seeking to appoint a Supplier to deliver an Employee Assistance Programme in Queen's University Belfast. The Supplier must provide the core requirements which must include, but not limited to: 1. Telephone Triage and Support Services 2. Counselling Services 3. Online Wellbeing Support Hub 4. Trauma and Critical Incident Support 5. Management Support Services 6. Manager support and advice 7. Case Management 8. Health and wellbeing promotion and awareness 9. Publicity and awareness of service The goal is to: * provide professional, confidential, and accessible support services to improve staff wellbeing. * focus on mental health, financial wellbeing, legal guidance, and workplace challenges, * ensure employees receive timely and effective support. This aligns with Queen's commitment to fostering a healthy and engaged workforce.

Renewal: For both Lot 1 and Lot 2, the Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.

Lot 2: Provision of a Student Counselling Hub

The University is seeking to appoint a supplier to deliver Student Counselling services via a Student Counselling Hub. The goal is to : - complement existing nontherapeutic supports offered through University support services. - Deliver a psychological therapy and support service through a 'matched stepped care model' that empowers students as healthy learners to manage their mental health, build resilience, and develop practical coping strategies. Supports required include: o On-line self-help resource platform that equips students with self-help tools to manage their mental health independently. o Guided self-help to support students to implement strategies o Short-term, solution-focused talking therapy counselling for students o 24/7 helpline o low intensity group work and psycho education workshops o "Out of Hours" Support calls In addition, the Supplier will have responsible for: * Appropriate signposting and onward referral to NHS or third sector providers for specialist or longer-term support for complex cases. * Clinical governance * Service marketing and accessibility * Delivery in partnership with the University

Renewal: For both Lot 1 and Lot 2, the Contract shall be for a period of 3 years, subject to satisfactory annual review, with the option to extend the contract by up to a further 24 Months . This option to extend shall be entirely at the discretion of Queen's and shall be subject to satisfactory review of performance.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05624a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008303-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85312300 - Guidance and counselling services

85312320 - Counselling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,166,666 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,166,666 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£2,415,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£2,415,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jan 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
13 Aug 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Nov 20259 months ago
Contract Period
1 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2030-07-19

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Queen's University Belfast
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT7 1NN
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SPECTRUM WELLNESS UK LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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