Community Substance Misuse Service

Description

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice. The award 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. The Contracting Authority intends to award the contract using Direct Award Process C, having determined that the existing provider is satisfying the current contract and is likely to satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard having regard to the key criteria and basic selection criteria set out in the Regulations. This notice serves as an intention to award only. The contract has not yet been formally awarded. The Council has a strong track record of collaborative working to reduce drug related harm. Despite this, the borough continues to experience high levels of drug related deaths, often linked to chronic physical and mental health conditions. These harms disproportionately affect the most deprived communities, with 77% of opiate clients residing in the most deprived areas. The Wirral Drugs Strategy 2023-2027 provides a local framework for reducing drug related harm. It is based on a comprehensive needs assessment and was codeveloped through engagement with key stakeholders. The strategy aligns with the Wirral Working Together Plan 2023-2027, the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022- 2027, and national strategies, including From Harm to Hope and Dame Carol Black's independent review. Public Health Implications - the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) sets out a vision to improve and protect the health of the nation, with a particular focus on improving the health of the poorest, fastest. The procurement of an all-age, community-based treatment and recovery service aligns with four high-level PHOF indicators for health improvement: • Successful completion of drug and alcohol treatment • Deaths from drug and alcohol use • Adults with a treatment need engaging in treatment following release from prison • Hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions There is a strong national focus on reducing drug-related harm, with a recent Independent Review (national review led by Dame Carol Black) and the publication of a national 10-year drug strategy, From Harm to Hope. The national strategy acknowledges systemic problems and emphasises the importance of better integrated services in order to deliver on the priority of becoming a world-class treatment and recovery system. Lot 1: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice. The award 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. The Contracting Authority intends to award the contract using Direct Award Process C, having determined that the existing provider is satisfying the current contract and is likely to satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard having regard to the key criteria and basic selection criteria set out in the Regulations. This notice serves as an intention to award only. The contract has not yet been formally awarded. Service Overview The Council has a strong track record of collaborative working to reduce drug related harm. Despite this, the borough continues to experience high levels of drug related deaths, often linked to chronic physical and mental health conditions. These harms disproportionately affect the most deprived communities, with 77% of opiate clients residing in the most deprived areas. The Wirral Drugs Strategy 2023-2027 provides a local framework for reducing drug related harm. It is based on a comprehensive needs assessment and was codeveloped through engagement with key stakeholders. The strategy aligns with the Wirral Working Together Plan 2023-2027, the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022- 2027, and national strategies, including From Harm to Hope and Dame Carol Black's independent review. Public Health Implications - the Public Health Outcomes Framework (PHOF) sets out a vision to improve and protect the health of the nation, with a particular focus on improving the health of the poorest, fastest. The procurement of an all-age, community-based treatment and recovery service aligns with four high-level PHOF indicators for health improvement: • Successful completion of drug and alcohol treatment • Deaths from drug and alcohol use • Adults with a treatment need engaging in treatment following release from prison • Hospital admissions for alcohol-related conditions There is a strong national focus on reducing drug-related harm, with a recent Independent Review (national review led by Dame Carol Black) and the publication of a national 10-year drug strategy, From Harm to Hope. The national strategy acknowledges systemic problems and emphasises the importance of better integrated services in order to deliver on the priority of becoming a world-class treatment and recovery system. Additional information: Assessment Against Key Criteria The Contracting Authority considered the following key criteria in reaching its decision: Quality and Innovation - 35% Value - 15% Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability - 25% Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities and Facilitating Choice - 15% Social Value - 10% CGL complies with the Basic Selection Criteria ( Suitability ;financial standing ;technical ability; See Schedule 16 of the Regulations.) The Authority is satisfied that the incumbent provider continues to meet the requirements of the service and remains capable of delivering the proposed contract to a sufficient standard Award Decision-Makers The following individuals participated in, the award decision: • Gary Rickwood - Principal Manager • Dave Bradburn, Director of Public Health (the decision maker) Conflicts of Interest In accordance with the Provider Selection Regime and the Council's governance arrangements, all individuals involved in the consideration, assessment and award decision were required to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest. No actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest were declared by any individual involved in the decision-making process. Consequently, no conflict management or mitigation measures were required, and the award decision was reached objectively, transparently, and in accordance with the requirements of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. Justification for Specification There have been no additions to the new specification that would result in any material changes to the current Community Substance Misuse service offer. • The core service model, delivery approach, and scope of services remain materially unchanged from the existing contract. The specification continues to reflect: o Integrated community-based treatment and recovery support o Partnership working across health, social care, supported housing, and criminal justice pathways o Delivery of evidence-based "Drug and Alcohol related harm" interventions Nature of Changes Any updates incorporated into the specification are limited to: • Alignment with updated national guidance, policy expectations, responding to changing trends in drug and alcohol use, and best practice (including public health and treatment standards issued during 2025-2026) • Clarification of existing service requirements to improve transparency and consistency • Strengthening of language around: o Outcomes and performance expectations o Integration and partnership working o Reducing health inequalities These updates: • Do not introduce new service lines or fundamentally alter the delivery model • Do not change the risk profile, scale, or nature of the service • Would not have materially altered the competitive landscape or attracted a different provider market Justification for Procurement Approach and Assessment Compliance The procurement of the Community Substance Misuse Service is being undertaken using the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Direct Award Process C, on the basis that the incumbent provider is demonstrably best placed to continue delivering the service, ensuring continuity of care, the established wider system integration, and, very importantly, minimal disruption to service users. This approach is justified as the provider: • Has an established track record of delivering integrated substance misuse services in line with national policy, local strategies, and public health outcomes. • Is fully embedded within the local system, with strong partnerships across key stakeholders including primary care, Acute Health Care, Mental Health services, criminal justice agencies, housing, and safeguarding networks. • Demonstrates the capability, capacity, and infrastructure required to deliver safe, effective, and recovery-focused services across the full treatment pathway. • Provides critical continuity of care for service users, including those with complex needs, where consistent engagement and trusted relationships are essential to achieving sustained recovery outcomes and reducing harm. Assessment and Governance Compliance The decision-making process has been undertaken in accordance with NHS England Provider Selection Regime statutory guidance, applying the prescribed assessment framework and documentation templates to ensure a robust, transparent, and auditable process. In line with this guidance, the following key criteria have been fully considered and evidenced: • Quality and innovation - including delivery of evidence-based treatment interventions, harm reduction approaches, and recovery support aligned to national substance misuse guidance. • Value for money - ensuring effective use of public resources while maintaining or improving treatment outcomes and system efficiency. • Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability - including whole-system working across physical and mental health, social care, housing and criminal justice partners, and long-term service resilience. • Access, equity, and reducing health inequalities - ensuring the service is accessible to all population groups, including those experiencing multiple disadvantage. • Continuity of service and risk management - minimising disruption for vulnerable service users and maintaining safe, consistent service delivery. All required information has been captured and evaluated using the NHS England PSR Direct Award C template, ensuring: • Consistent and proportionate assessment against statutory criteria • A clear and auditable record of decision-making rationale • Demonstrable compliance with procurement regulations and governance requirement Accordingly, the Authority intends to award the contract to Change Grow Live under Provider Selection Regime Direct Award Process C following completion of the standstill period, subject to consideration of any representations received.