BSL Talking Therapy Service (Midlands Region)

Description

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board ("the Authority") intends to award a contract for the a British Sign Language (BSL) Talking Therapy Service for adults who are Deaf and use BSL, in accordance with NHS Talking Therapies guidance and NICE?recommended interventions. DDICB intend to award this contract under the Most Suitable Provider process and the contract will be initially for 3 years with up to 2 years of extensions available dependent on performance. This a new service with a new provider - the contract will run from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029 which is the initial period of the contract - extensions will be granted under due process according to contract monitoring conditions of KPIs to be met. The contract cost below is per annum. The supplier will be required to provide evidence that their workforce is qualified to the levels detailed in the NHS Talking Therapy guidance and the NICE-recommended interventions in order to be compliant for delivery of this service. This a regional contract with Derby & Derbyshire acting as Lead Commissioner with regional ICB partners as associates, therefore, we require a service provider to offer these services at regional scales. The service will provide assessment and evidence based psychological therapies delivered directly in BSL, improving accessibility and outcomes for Deaf BSL users. Lot 1: The Authority has utilised the Most Suitable Provider process under the Provider Selection Regime to identify a provider to deliver the BSL Talking Therapy Service. The Authority considers that the proposed approach is appropriate having regard to the nature of the service, the very specialist skills required, and the need to ensure continuity, quality, and accessibility of provision for a population with very specific communication needs. The contract will be awarded in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, subject to internal governance and approvals. The contract has been awarded to the provider according to the evidence provided to meet all key criteria of PSR Process Most Suitable Provider.