---
title: "National British Sign Language (BSL) IAPT"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-1b02c077-bb23-4613-b1a1-0c594c23c533"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1b02c077-bb23-4613-b1a1-0c594c23c533"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1b02c077-bb23-4613-b1a1-0c594c23c533.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1b02c077-bb23-4613-b1a1-0c594c23c533.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "NHS ENGLAND"
published: "2021-04-22"
---

# National British Sign Language (BSL) IAPT

Buyer: NHS ENGLAND  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-1b02c077-bb23-4613-b1a1-0c594c23c533

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## Summary

The NHS England is currently seeking tenders for the National British Sign Language (BSL) IAPT project, aimed at expanding access to psychological therapies for Deaf individuals in the UK. This initiative falls under the health services category, specifically focusing on counselling services, and is set to take place primarily in Leeds, England. The tender is in the open stage of the procurement process, with submissions accepted until 27th May 2021. The total value of the contract ranges from £3 million to £5 million, with services anticipated to commence on 1st August 2021 and run through until 31st July 2024.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in mental health services, particularly those experienced in providing therapies in British Sign Language. Organisations that are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to compete, especially those with capabilities in outreach to underrepresented populations. Participation in this project can enhance service delivery for Deaf individuals, thereby fostering growth and innovation in the mental health service sector.

## Notice

The Five-Year Forward View for Mental Health (FYFVMH, Oct 2016) and the Long Term Plan (LTP, 2019) emphasise the ability of IAPT services to provide support for people with depression and anxiety disorders that can be managed effectively in a uni-professional context. IAPT services remain a key focus of the LTP in delivering the improved outcomes aspired to by linking mental health and physical health. The LTP sets out a commitment to expanding IAPT services with a view to increasing access to psychological therapies for an additional 390,000 people with common mental health problems which means that by 2023/24 1.9 million people nationally each year will access treatment via IAPT services. As IAPT services expand there has been a need identified to increase access for people who are Deaf and use BSL. Commissioning BSL services at a local level can be difficult due to the relatively small numbers of BSL users in each locality. Therefore, central funding has been identified to pilot a national BSL IAPT offer. Deaf people are currently believed to be vastly underrepresented in IAPT services. They face a number of barriers including misdiagnosis and availability of appropriate communication aids. There are two main options for Deaf people reliant on BSL for accessing therapy via IAPT: accessing their local service through the use of a trained BSL interpreter or by accessing therapy from a trained IAPT clinician who uses BSL themselves. Aim of the service The National BSL IAPT Service is required to meet three overarching criteria: 1. To provide IAPT compliant therapies in BSL 2. To provide national coverage and accessibility 3. To build the BSL-speaking IAPT workforce To access this opportunity and bid on the Tender please go to: http://health.atamis.co.uk

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3a03ad16-b270-4d20-ae60-caac53f1fd1d |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 22 Apr 2021 |
| Submission deadline | 27 May 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Jul 2021 - 31 Jul 2024 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £5,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NHS ENGLAND |
| Locality | LEEDS |
| Post town | Leeds |
| Postcode | LS2 7UE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE4 West Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE42 Leeds |
| Local authority | Leeds |
| Electoral ward | Little London & Woodhouse |
| Westminster constituency | Leeds Central and Headingley |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85100000 - Health services
- 85312320 - Counselling services

## Release History

- 22 Apr 2021 at 16:45 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3a03ad16-b270-4d20-ae60-caac53f1fd1d

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3a03ad16-b270-4d20-ae60-caac53f1fd1d
  22nd April 2021 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- http://health.atamis.co.uk

## Provenance

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