Autism Diagnostic Assessment Service

Description

Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (TV ICB) is establishing an accreditation for suitably qualified providers to deliver Autism Diagnostic Assessment Services. This accreditation is conducted in accordance with Direct Award Process B of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR). For the avoidance of doubt, this process does not constitute a competitive procurement procedure. Providers will not be ranked or compared, and there is no limit on the number of providers that may be accredited. Applications will be assessed against published criteria to determine whether providers can demonstrate the capability and capacity to deliver the service requirements. The accreditation will operate under two Lots: Lot 1 - Adult Autism Diagnostic Assessment Services (18+) Lot 2 - Children and Young People Autism Diagnostic Assessment Services (ages 6-18) Providers may apply for one or both Lots. Where applying for more than one Lot, providers must submit a separate application for each Lot. Each application will be assessed independently. The Commissioner is commencing an initial accreditation process with a defined application window, as set out in the procurement documents. This initial process is intended to establish an initial cohort of accredited providers. Following the completion of the initial accreditation process, the Commissioner will maintain an open accreditation arrangement. In accordance with the Provider Selection Regime and NHS Right to Choose requirements, providers may request accreditation at any time. Applications submitted outside the initial application window will not be considered as part of the initial evaluation cohort but may be assessed subsequently at the Commissioner's discretion. Successful providers will enter into an NHS Standard Contract. Accreditation onto the provider list does not guarantee referrals, and activity will be determined by clinical appropriateness, patient choice, provider performance and available capacity. This accreditation does not represent a commitment by the Commissioner to purchase a specified volume of services, and as such the estimated contract value is recorded as £0. This accreditation process is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner. Lot 1: Adult Autism Diagnostic Assessment Service (18+) Thames Valley ICB is implementing an accreditation process through which providers may apply for approval to deliver Autism Diagnostic Assessment Services. This is an accreditation process conducted under Direct Award Process B of the Provider Selection Regime and does not constitute a competitive procurement. In accordance with the NHS Right to Choose arrangements and the Direct Award B process under the Provider Selection Regime, TV ICB is inviting providers to apply to be an accredited provider for Adult Autism Services The ICB is asking interested providers to apply the timescales for this process as detailed in the invitation documents available on the Atamis e-procurement portal. The Commissioner is undertaking an initial accreditation process with a defined application window. Following this, providers may request accreditation at any time in accordance with the Provider Selection Regime requirements. Applications submitted outside the initial window may be assessed subsequently. Inclusion on the accredited list does not guarantee activity or income. Referrals will be made based on clinical appropriateness, patient choice, provider performance and available capacity. Lot 1 - Adult Autism Diagnostic Assessment Service (18+) This service forms part of the NHS autism diagnostic pathway and must be delivered in accordance with national clinical guidance and best practice issued by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and operational guidance published by NHS England. This Lot covers the provision of autism diagnostic assessments for adults aged 18 years and over. Providers must deliver high-quality assessments consistent with national best practice, including: • Comprehensive developmental and psychosocial history-taking • Use of validated autism assessment tools suitable for adults • Structured clinical interviews • Consideration of differential diagnoses and co-occurring conditions (including mental health conditions, trauma and learning disability) • Formulation of a clear diagnostic outcome • Provision of written diagnostic reports and appropriate post-diagnostic support or signposting. Providers must demonstrate that assessments are delivered by an appropriately qualified multidisciplinary team (MDT) with relevant clinical training and experience in adult autism assessment. Providers must comply with all applicable requirements, including those relating to: • safeguarding • clinical governance • PSIRF incident management and reporting through LfPSE • information governance and Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) compliance • submission of activity and outcome data including MHSDS reporting. Services must operate using a hybrid delivery model, combining remote and face-to-face elements where clinically appropriate. Providers are responsible for securing accessible local premises where in-person assessment components are required. Lot 2: Children & Young People Autism Diagnostic Assessment Service (Ages 6-18) Thames Valley ICB is implementing an accreditation process through which providers may apply for approval to deliver Autism Diagnostic Assessment Services. This is an accreditation process conducted under Direct Award Process B of the Provider Selection Regime and does not constitute a competitive procurement. In accordance with the NHS Right to Choose arrangements and the Direct Award B process under the Provider Selection Regime, TV ICB is inviting providers to apply to be an accredited provider for Children and Young People Autism Services. The ICB is asking interested providers to apply the timescales for this process as detailed in the invitation documents available on the Atamis e-procurement portal. The Commissioner is undertaking an initial accreditation process with a defined application window. Following this, providers may request accreditation at any time in accordance with the Provider Selection Regime requirements. Applications submitted outside the initial window may be assessed subsequently. Inclusion on the accredited list does not guarantee activity or income. Referrals will be made based on clinical appropriateness, patient choice, provider performance and available capacity. Lot 2 - Children & Young People Autism Diagnostic Assessment Service (Ages 6-18) This service forms part of the NHS autism diagnostic pathway for children and young people and must be delivered in accordance with national clinical guidance including: • NICE CG128 • NICE CG170 • NICE Quality Standard QS51 and operational guidance issued by NHS England. This Lot covers the delivery of Autism Diagnostic Assessment Services for children and young people aged 6 to 18 years (up to their 18th birthday). Assessments must be undertaken by a multidisciplinary team including: • Paediatrician and/or child and adolescent psychiatrist • Speech and language therapist • Psychologist with access to additional clinical specialists where required. Providers must deliver comprehensive assessments, including: • Developmental history taking • Corroboration of information from families and education settings • Standardised behavioural observation (e.g. ADOS-2, ideally undertaken face-to-face) • Use of validated diagnostic assessment tools • Medical review where clinically indicated • Diagnostic formulation • Provision of clear written reports and post-diagnostic support or signposting. Providers must ensure compliance with all relevant requirements, including: • Safeguarding duties • Governance and clinical oversight • PSIRF incident management and reporting to LfPSE • SEND and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) information-sharing processes • Information governance and DSPT compliance • Submission of Mental Health Services Data Set (MHSDS) returns. Services must be delivered using a hybrid model, incorporating virtual and face-to-face assessment components. Providers are responsible for securing accessible local premises where face-to-face assessment is required.