BNSSG ICB- Womankind

Location

Bristol

Description

A women's counselling service for diverse groups of women with chronic, enduring and severe mental health needs, which greatly affect the quality of their lives and their ability to take an active role in society. Service users in receipt of counselling from the service are from disadvantaged backgrounds and are on low incomes and benefits.

Total Quantity or Scope

NHS Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset ICB give this notice as an intention to award. 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.The service offers a women's counselling service to diverse groups of women with chronic, enduring and severe mental health needs, which greatly affect the quality of their lives and their ability to take an active role in society. Service users in receipt of counselling from the service are from disadvantaged backgrounds and are on low incomes and benefits. Womankind provides the following to those accessing the service: • A minimum of 16 counselling sessions each week (ie. Total service delivery/week and not per individual service user) • Each service user will receive two clinical assessment appointments (including a risk assessment) followed by weekly counselling for up to six months (24 sessions). All service users will be offered a three month follow-up appointment • 32 service users supported per year The service is unique as it provides longer term general counselling in a women only setting. The counselling aims to help women to improve their mental health and to live independent lives within their community and to enable them to care for themselves and their dependents. The service operates from an accessible city centre location: Womankind, 3rd Floor Brunswick Court, Brunswick Square, Bristol, BS2 8PE. The contract has been awarded for the period 01/04/2026 - 31/03/2029 Approximate lifetime value of the contract: £165,324 (at 2025/26 value) This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners. NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Gloucestershire ICB are currently working together in a formal "clustering" arrangement to prepare for their merger into a single, new organisation (name to be confirmed), effective from 1st April 2027.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

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 12th March 2026(8 working days following publication of intention to award notice). This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Other Information

Decision makers: BNSSG ICB Board. The decision was taken on 6 November 2025. No potential or conflicts of interest from any individuals were identified in this process. BNSSG ICB Board approved the award of this contract under PSR direct award process C. Key Criteria 1. Quality and Innovation 2. Value 3. Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability 4. Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice 5. Social value Scoring Matrix • Where a provider has scored a "Not Assured" for one or more sections, they will not be awarded the contract. • Where a provider has scored "Conditionally Assured" for one or more sections, the ICB will consider the extent to which the partial assurance affects the overall delivery, and will ensure action plans are in place prior to contract finalisation. • Where a provider has scored "Assured" for all sections, the contract can be awarded. 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 and 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 decision makers by 12th March 2026 (8 working days following publication of intention to award notice). This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.