The Provision of a Mental Health Service for Children and Young People (CYP) with Learning Disability and/or Autism, including Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) Supporting CYP with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Location

Hertford

Description

Specialist Mental Health Service for Children & Young People (CYP) with a Learning Disability and/or who are autistic. The service supports the mental health needs of CYP who have complex needs and present with significant communication challenges, as a result of their Learning Disability and or autism that require specialist approaches to mental health support. These often do not appear in isolation and many of CYP will experience co-occurring difficulties, such as: • Emotional dysregulation • Behaviours of concern[2] (includes CYP with LD and/or ASD that may show behaviours of concern that seem unrelated to mental health at first but underlying mental health needs often become clearer once support begins) • Sleep difficulties, feeding difficulties, and toileting difficulties • Withdrawal from usual activities significantly impacting activities of daily living (ADL) • Sensory processing difficulties In addition, Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) provide early help mental health support for pupils (reception to year 13*) with mild to moderate difficulties who are on roll at education settings within Hertfordshire.

Total Quantity or Scope

The Council is intending to award this contract to our existing provider following Direct Award Process C under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR.) The contract will commence on 1st April 2026 until 31st March 2028 with the option to extend for 2 years up until 31st March 2030. (Maximum 4 years total.) The approximate life time value of this contract is stated in II.1.7 above and includes the value of any possible extensions.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

There is the option to extend the contract for two (2) years subject to available funding and satisfactory performance at the discretion of the Council.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85000000 - Health and social work services
• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

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

Legal Justification

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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 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 11th February 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations must be made to decision makers by 11th February 2026. The contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice services as an intention to award under the PSR. Written representations should be sent to: strategic.procurement@hertfordshire.gov.uk Details of individuals making the award decision: CYPMHS Senior Commissioning Manger Herts & West Essex MHST Commissioning Manager Deputy Head of Service IHCCT: CYPMHS Commissioning and Design The existing provider is satisfying the existing contract and will likely satisfy the proposed new contract. The provider has been assessed against the relevant 5 key criteria and has passed the requirements. There were no conflicts of interest identified.