Counselling services

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-065878-2026-02-20T16:33:49Z",
    "date": "2026-02-20T16:33:49Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-065878",
    "description": "This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. Decision makers: Sonia Wadley and Karen Phillips",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-065878",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Counselling services",
        "status": "planned",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "85100000",
            "description": "Health services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "The Trust is seeking to engage suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver professional counselling services to support the wellbeing of our staff. We are looking for practitioners who can offer timely, confidential, and high-quality support across a range of emotional and psychological needs. Interested providers will be expected to demonstrate: Appropriate professional qualifications and accreditation Experience delivering counselling within healthcare or similar environments Robust safeguarding, data protection, and confidentiality processes The ability to provide both face-to-face and remote support options (where applicable)",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The Trust is seeking to engage qualified, accredited, and experienced counselling providers to deliver confidential, evidence-based therapeutic support to our workforce. Services must be delivered in line with NHS standards, the service specification, and professional ethical frameworks. We invite expressions of interest from providers who can meet and will be assessed against the following criteria to submit information through to: hnf-tr.contracting@nhs.net by the 12/03/2026. 1. Quality and Innovation - 40% Professional Accreditation BACP, BABCP, UKCP or equivalent. Diploma-level training or above, BACP accreditation in progress (if agreed). Clinical Experience - Minimum 500 hours supervised practice. Experience in employee counselling and/or NHS workforce . Ability to deliver short-term therapy within the 1 + 5 model. Use of recognised modalities (Integrative, CBT, Humanistic, Psychodynamic). Suitability of approach to individual client needs. Clear clinical supervision and CPD arrangements. Evidence of safeguarding competence. Valid DBS Certificate. Public Liability Insurance and relevant Professional Liability Insurance. 2. Value - 15% Hourly/session cost vs. quality. Efficiency of the \"1 + 5\" delivery model. Demonstrated impact through CORE outcomes. Cost transparency in billing and reporting. Avoidance of unnecessary extensions or additional sessions. 3. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - 15% Communication mechanisms with OH. Framework of safe, supervised practice. Responsiveness to risk, safeguarding and OH consultation. Clear record keeping (GDPR and BACP compliant). Monthly reporting (activity, statistical returns). Responsible handling of complaints and feedback. 4. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice - 15% Communication mechanisms with OH. Framework of safe, supervised practice. Responsiveness to risk, safeguarding and OH consultation. Clear record keeping (GDPR and BACP compliant). Monthly reporting (activity, statistical returns). Responsible handling of complaints and feedback. 5. Social Value - 15% Contribution to staff wellbeing & mental health resilience. Provider commitment to local employment. Environmental/sustainability commitments. Equality, diversity and inclusion policies. Basic Criteria: Must hold Professional Accreditation BACP, BABCP, UKCP or equivalent. Up-to-date Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability insurance - evidence of cover must be provided and maintained throughout the contract. Attend supervision with suitability qualified supervisor / supervision group to a minimum of 1 1/2 hours per month - including supervisors details. Continuing Professional Development to the level required by your registering body. Offer appointments to clients within 15 working days of receiving the referral. Maintain client records and storage to professional standard of confidentiality and security, with clear and appropriate data retention and disposal protocols. Secure systems for storing clinical notes. Contingency arrangements for missed appointments. Provide safe, private and fit for purpose rooms from counselling - a description of each counselling room - including address and photographs of the rooms to be provided. Clear contingency arrangements must be in place to contact clients if a counsellor is unexpectedly unable to attend, and clients must be informed of this process at initial contact. Evidence of robust safeguarding and escalation procedures.",
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKE"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "Please see below the expectations, service standards, and evaluation systems required for external counselling and CBT providers supporting staff. The Occupational Health Department (\"the referrer\") will select providers using best-value principles and the following criteria: * Ensuring the most appropriate counsellor and location for each client. * Considering accessibility, client sensitivity and preferences, plus the counsellor's skills and therapeutic model. * Matching provision to client need. PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION Providers must hold organisational affiliation with a recognised body such as BACP, UKCP, BABCP, or an equivalent association. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS All counsellors, whether via an agency or independently engaged, must meet the following: a) Hold a Diploma-level qualification or higher and be registered with BACP, UKCP, BABCP, or a comparable body. Those working toward accreditation may be accepted with Occupational Health agreement. b) Have substantial post-qualification practice, including a minimum of 500 supervised hours, plus experience working with employees. c) Agencies must obtain a CV, references, evidence of supervision, and annual CPD. Independently contracted counsellors must supply this directly to Occupational Health. d) Counsellors must deliver short-term counselling suitable for NHS staff using recognised modalities (e.g. integrative, humanistic, psychodynamic, CBT). Any non-standard approach must be agreed with the Occupational Health Manager. e) Providers must ensure safe practice, appropriate support, and clear communication between counsellors, the agency, the referrer, and Occupational Health while upholding confidentiality. CHOICE AND ACCESSIBILITY Agencies must offer counsellors of both genders and multiple accessible locations across the Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust area, including Hull and East Riding. Independent counsellors will be selected based on specialist skills, client request, or location. INSURANCE / INDEMNITY Providers must hold appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance and, where applicable, Public Liability Insurance. REFERRAL PROCESS The \"1 + 5 model\" applies: * One assessment session plus up to five counselling sessions. Sessions must be flexible to accommodate working patterns. Additional sessions require approval from the referrer. Referrals will be made by email or telephone, and each client will receive a code for billing and evaluation. Feedback is normally limited to attendance and evaluation. Session content remains confidential unless the client consents, a Court Order is received, or exceptional circumstances apply. TIMESCALES Providers must contact the client within 3 working days of referral and begin counselling within 15 working days, subject to availability. CONFIDENTIALITY Confidentiality must be maintained at all times. Information may only be shared where required for counselling delivery, supervision, or essential administration. Exceptions include risk of harm, safeguarding, fitness-to-practice concerns, or statutory disclosure. If unclear, anonymous consultation with Occupational Health is advised. RECORD KEEPING Records should preferably be handwritten and must comply with professional standards and UK GDPR, ensuring lawful, secure, minimal data processing. Records must be accurate, stored securely, retained only as necessary, and destroyed seven years after counselling ends. Clients may access their records; third-party access requires consent or legal obligation. EVALUATION SYSTEMS Providers must use the CORE questionnaire at assessment and final session. Clients will receive a Staff Counselling Evaluation Form, with anonymous data returned to Occupational Health. Concerns raised through feedback will be reviewed by the Occupational Health Manager. Providers must also supply presenting-issue data or any requested information relevant to service monitoring. MONITORING AND REVIEW The Occupational Health Manager will continuously monitor service quality and manage liaison with providers. COMPLAINTS Counsellors must respond to client concerns. Unresolved issues will be escalated to the Occupational Health Manager. Mediation may be arranged to resolve matters within 28 days. If unresolved, Trust complaints procedures and professional codes apply. The Trust may discontinue use of providers if service quality falls below expected standards. APPOINTMENT CANCELLATIONS The Trust will not pay for cancelled sessions unless at least 24 hours' notice is given. For \"no-show\" appointments, the first missed session will be paid, but no further appointments should be arranged until the client makes contact. A second consecutive non-attendance without notice will result in discharge as an \"unplanned ending\". Further counselling must be re-referred through Occupational Health."
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "description": "In expressing interest suppliers are asked to outline (in no more than 500 words) their relevant experience and expertise to deliver this type of service."
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "description": "This Intended Approach Notice is being published in line with Regulation 10 - under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime - PSR) Regulations 2023. (The Most Suitable Provider Process) is being used to commission this service. This will be published for at least 14 calendar days as per the requirements of the Provider Selection Regime 2023. This is to enable providers to approach the Trust and express their interest in being considered as the 'most suitable provider'. The successful MSP will have to satisfy the Basic Selection Criteria and demonstrate how they meet the Key Criteria as listed within this notice."
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-NHS-RV9",
            "name": "HUMBER TEACHING NHS FOUNDATION TRUST",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "HUMBER TEACHING NHS FOUNDATION TRUST",
                "id": "RV9",
                "scheme": "GB-NHS"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Trust HQ, Willerby Hill, Beverley Road, Willerby",
                "locality": "Hull",
                "region": "UKE",
                "postalCode": "HU106ED",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Charlene Reeson",
                "email": "c.reeson@nhs.net"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.humber.nhs.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Body governed by public law"
                    },
                    {
                        "id": "07",
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Health"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-NHS-RV9",
        "name": "HUMBER TEACHING NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
    },
    "language": "en"
}