Postvention - Bereavement Support Service to NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB)

NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care board (BSW ICB) intends to award a contract to Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind Ltd to deliver Postvention Bereavement Services to residents or people who are registered with a GP, within the boundaries of Swindon and Wiltshire. A core feature of service provision will be the continuous involvement of people with lived experience to inform and influence ongoing transformation and development. This will be achieved through not only formal opportunities but also through comprehensive analysis of data and outcomes related to people seen within the services. Access Information will be gathered by the service provider and uploaded into the Mental Health Services Dataset (MHSDS). This will, as a minimum, allow number of contacts (at patient level) to be measured. Through joint work with partners and using outputs from the MHSDS, the provider will demonstrate how their service offer has provided timely access to the service and, where relevant, timely transfer to other partners. This will include: waiting time to first contact, waiting time to first intervention and waiting time for any onward intervention required. They will monitor this quarterly in conjunction with commissioners or more frequently if required. At first contact, staff will be expected to conduct a support conversation with the individual. This support conversation will establish individual goals and anticipated outcomes that the person will be supported to work towards. This will be recorded on the agreed patient record in order that the information follows the person and they only have to tell their story once. The service will enable full coverage of (B)SW with Postvention Bereavement support for individuals affected by and involved with the person, including family and friends, work colleagues, plus any agencies who may have been involved with person. Interventions will include: * Clear information on the service is available, including a description of the service, what it offers, contact details and how to make a referral. Easy access to the service, whether via the person's GP, self-referral, Police, other health and care professionals or as directed by other mental health services. Access to be available by telephone and email. * Referrals to the service will be responded to within a maximum of 48 hours. * The person will be offered an appointment (type and time of their choosing) so a thorough holistic assessment of an individual's needs and risks can be undertaken. * Provide a safe space for listening, and co-creation of a safety and support plan. * One to one sessions in person or virtually on weekdays and in the evenings. * Undertake risk assessment scales to be able to respond to change in risks and signpost to appropriate support services. * Provide person centred, emotional support, to include coping strategies. * Practical support including help to navigate processes such as police processes, funeral arrangements, inquest, the media, notifying companies of the death and communication with employers * Signposting and referral to other services. * Group support sessions (face to face and online) to include solution focused strategies. * Attend MDTs as and when required. * Onwards support with proactive/assertive signposting and referrals [via warm transfer], including to urgent support as required. * Remain in regular supportive contact with individuals (defined on a case-by-case basis), at least until the inquest. * Support through related statutory processes. * Able to support the wider determinants of mental health and impact of bereavement; for example, trauma-focused therapy, financial and housing support. This will enable rapid access and appropriate support. * Make available guides and resources in a range of different languages and have access to translation services whenever needed. * Establish a real time surveillance pathway for the police to make a referral to the service, with contact to be made within 72 hours unless the person opts out of the service. The provider will produce a monthly report and cross reference the number of deaths with Real Time Sudden Deaths Surveillance coordinator and Mental Health Trust to ensure that no individuals have been missed. * Attend forums/multi-agency meetings with broader reaching partnership, including commissioned core mental health services and community asset and real time suicide surveillance forums. * The provider has clear lines of accountability within local suicide prevention structures and is integrated/reflected with the wider suicide prevention strategy for that local authority area. * The service is aligned to local priorities and actively engages with people with lived experience and partner organisations (e.g., local statutory, voluntary and community organisations) and attends multi-agency forums * The service is engaged in promoting awareness of suicide bereavement and the importance of timely support for those impacted or affected by suicide. This will include outreach to local schools and colleges to support students and staff to promote awareness of support offers. * Training provision for healthcare professionals Make links with funeral homes, coroner, family liaison workers, other bereavement providers locally to raise awareness and integrate the service The contract term will be for 3 years with an optional extension of any period up to 1 year. The contract value is PS61,600.00 per annum giving a contract value of PS184,800.00 for the initial contract period and PS246,400.00 if the full extension period is adopted. The new service will commence on the 1st November 2025. This exercise was carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.