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Summary, notice description and lot information
NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board has awarded a contract for the provision of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) for Schools in the Mid and South Essex Health Economy. This contract, valued at £20,602,183, follows the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, with the latest funding variation taking effect from 1st January 2026. The service commenced on 1st September 2025 and is scheduled for 24 months, with an option for a 12-month extension.
The procurement method utilised is a Direct Award Process under the PSR. The designated industry category for this initiative is community health services, with the geographical focus within the UKH3 region. This contract presents valuable opportunities for businesses providing community health services, particularly those specialising in mental health support for children and young people.
Being part of the national Children and Young People’s Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP-IAPT) programme, it offers substantial growth potential for suppliers who can deliver innovative and impactful mental health solutions in educational settings. Large-scale providers like NELFT NHS Foundation Trust, the designated supplier, will benefit from the secure funding and extended contract term, allowing for strategic investment in resource development and service enhancement to meet increasing demand for mental health support in schools.
The contract award for Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) made by NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (herein referred to as the 'Authority'. MHSTs are a government initiative to help increase children and young people's access to support for emotional wellbeing and mental health. MHSTs are part of the national Children and Young People's Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP-IAPT) programme. MHSTs are a resource in addition to the already existing support in any particular education setting. An award has been made by NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board following Direct Award Process A in line with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The service started on 01st September 2025 for a period of 24 months, plus the option to extend for a further 12 months (3-year total contract term). The annual contract value is PS6,062,061.00. The lifetime value of the contract is PS18,186,183.00. The funding for this service is set by NHSE and is allocated to the Authority to support this government initiative. Following the publication of the Contract Award Notice (Notice Number: 2025/S 000-057362 | Notice Reference: 2025-047923) , the Authority is publishing this modification notice in line with the additional funding received for 'Wave 14' for the service provision. The effective date of this contract variation will be 01st January 2026 where the 'Wave 14' funding will provide an additional PS2,416,000.00. The original contract value published was PS18,186,183. The aggregate value of this contract variation will be PS2,416,000.00 (which represents a 13.28% increase). The new aggregate contract value PS20,602,183.00 The contract duration remains 01st September 2025 for a period of 24 months, plus the option to extend for a further 12 months (3-year total contract term), with the contract value variation effective from 01st January 2026.
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The contract period is three years.
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