Suffolk Individual Placement and Support for Severe Mental Illness (IPS SMI)

Location

Suffolk

Description

Service to deliver an individual placement and support employment service for people with severe mental ill health, whether based in secondary mental health teams or primary care in Suffolk.

Total Quantity or Scope

We are looking for an employment specialist who will work in close collaboration with clinical staff in Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust (NSFT) who are currently in the process of developing a Service Operating Plan on what the Trust consider patients with severe mental ill health. They will also work with employers locally, regionally and nationally to seek employment opportunities for individuals, and with any individuals who express an interest in employment to achieve an employment outcome. IPS has been identified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and NHS England, working in partnership with IPS Grow, as a key evidence-based intervention to tackle unemployment among people experiencing severe mental ill health. IPS is a replicable, quality-assured supported employment model that consistently delivers significantly improved employment outcomes, alongside wider benefits to health, wellbeing and recovery, when compared with traditional vocational or training-only approaches. Providers delivering IPS must therefore demonstrate a clear commitment to IPS fidelity and quality. This includes active participation in both internal and external quality assurance processes, ensuring delivery aligns with national IPS standards and contributes to improved outcomes for service users. The contract will commence on 1st October 2026 and expire 31st March 2030 and will have the the option to extend for up to a total additional 24 months.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• 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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by midnight on 3rd August 2026. 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. Representations should be sent via the Atamis system or to procurement@snee.nhs.uk Decision to award was approved by Norfolk and Suffolk Executive Committee on 07/07/2026. No conflicts of interest were declared.