NHS Somerset ICB - Young People's Mental Health Digital Support Service

Description

This is an Intention to Award Notice to award a contract using the Direct award C process under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations for NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the provision of the Young People's Mental Health Digital Support Service. Digital mental health support forms an important part of Somerset's children and young people's mental health system, providing an accessible early intervention offer alongside school-based, community and specialist services. It offers a low-threshold route for children and young people who may be reluctant to access traditional face-to-face support, particularly in a large rural county. The current contract for digital mental health and emotional wellbeing support is due to end on 31st December 2026. To maintain continuity of support while ensuring the future model reflects local need, a time-limited direct award is proposed, followed by a defined period of engagement with children and young people. This engagement will inform a subsequent competitive procurement for a refreshed service model. This approach supports fair and transparent commissioning while ensuring that future service design is informed by lived experience rather than assumptions or historic delivery models. Expected Outcomes Through this approach, the expected outcomes are: Continued access to digital mental health support for children and young people with no gap in provision. Improved understanding of what children and young people want and value from a digital offer. A clearer, CYP-informed service specification with outcomes and quality measures that reflect local need. Improved alignment of the digital offer with schools, MHSTs, CAMHS and VCSE provision. Reduced risk of commissioning a service that does not meet the needs of children and young people. Demonstrable evidence of participation and co production to support SEND inspection and wider assurance requirements. The contract period is 1st January 2027-31st March 2027. The total combined contract value is £49,157.18 The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight 18th June 2026. This exercise was carried out by NHS Somerset Integrated care board, supported by NHS South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW), along with the publication of this notice. This contract had not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under PSR. Lot 1: NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the provision of the Young People's Mental Health Digital Support Service. Direct Award C has been used for the award of this contract. The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The services provided are the service specification are not changing considerably. Digital mental health support forms an important part of Somerset's children and young people's mental health system, providing an accessible early intervention offer alongside school-based, community and specialist services. It offers a low-threshold route for children and young people who may be reluctant to access traditional face-to-face support, particularly in a large rural county. The current contract for digital mental health and emotional well being support is due to end on 31st December 2026. To maintain continuity of support while ensuring the future model reflects local need, a time-limited direct award is proposed, followed by a defined period of engagement with children and young people. This engagement will inform a subsequent competitive procurement for a refreshed service model. This approach supports fair and transparent commissioning while ensuring that future service design is informed by lived experience rather than assumptions or historic delivery models. Expected Outcomes Through this approach, the expected outcomes are: Continued access to digital mental health support for children and young people with no gap in provision. Improved understanding of what children and young people want and value from a digital offer. A clearer, CYP-informed service specification with outcomes and quality measures that reflect local need. Improved alignment of the digital offer with schools, MHSTs, CAMHS and VCSE provision. Reduced risk of commissioning a service that does not meet the needs of children and young people. Demonstrable evidence of participation and co production to support SEND inspection and wider assurance requirements. The contract period is 1st January 2027-31st March 2027. The total combined contract value is £49,157.18 The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight 18th June 2026. This exercise was carried out by NHS Somerset Integrated care board, supported by NHS South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW), along with the publication of this notice. This contract had not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under PSR.