Kent and Medway Individual Placement and Support Service

Location

Maidstone

Description

NHS Kent & Medway Integrated Care Board are undertaking a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Competitive Process and are inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to bid for a Individual Placement and Support Service in Kent and Medway. The contract duration will be for an initial period of 3 years with an optionto extend for up to a further 2 years as required.

Total Quantity or Scope

The contract duration will be for an initial period of 3 years with an optionto extend for up to a further 2 years as required.Individual Placement Support Service across Kent & Medway is for adults 18+ with a Serious Mental Illness which delivers high quality care and identifies and addresses health inequalities.Individual Placement and Support is an evidence-based approach that helps people with severe mental illness (SMI) to achieve meaningful, paid employment as part of their recovery journey. IPS offers intensive, person-centred support to help individuals choose secure, and sustain the right job—often within just weeks of referral. Ongoing support is provided to both the employee and employer, ensuring a strong foundation for long-term successIndividual Placement Support Service is rooted in eight internationally recognised principles, including:A focus on paid, competitive employment (not volunteering or sheltered work)Zero exclusion – anyone who wants to work is eligibleIntegration with mental health teams, ensuring a joined-up approach to care and supportIPS achieves significantly better outcomes than traditional vocational services. Studies show that IPS helps more people return to work faster, earn more, remain in work longer, and spend less time in hospital. This is why IPS is recommended by NICE as a core intervention in mental health services.This notice is an Intention to award a contract under the Competitive Process.The lifetime value of the contract is expected to be £13,228,032.00The initial term of the contract will be between 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029, with the option to extend to up to 31st March 2031This contract relates to an existing service with the intention to award being made to an existing provider.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

Contract may be extended for up to 2 years

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price and quality.

Other Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice.The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 23:59 on the 16th December 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the competitive process of the PSR.Written representations should be sent to l.gamlin@nhs.net.Award decision-makers - Kent & Medway ICB BoardDate of decision: 02nd December 2025Conflicts of Interest: None declaredThe Key Criteria used and weighted by the authority were as follows:Quality and Innovation 45%Value 20%Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability 14%Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice 11%Social value 10%The rationale for this was based on the detailed list of all requirements according to the specification and requirements of the integrated care system.