Regain Host Families

The procurement process initiated by the NHS Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, a public authority within central government, focused on the "Regain Host Families" initiative. The contract, which addresses the rising need for mental health placements outside the patient's local area, employed a direct award method due to specific compatibility requirements with existing services. The procurement process has reached the award stage, pending final signature.

The service, valued at £798,000, is to support out-of-hospital families, commencing on 1st September 2025 and potentially extending to 31st March 2028. The process was conducted within the industry category of community action programmes and is located in Cornwall, UK, with important deadlines including a signature due by 27th August 2025. This tender presents significant opportunities for small and voluntary community social enterprises (VCSEs) to engage with public health initiatives and provide vital services that contribute to mental health support within the community.

Businesses that are equipped to expand in the health services sector, particularly those with experience in community-based support and scalability to meet specialised care requirements, are well-poised to benefit. The direct award approach underscores the importance of maintaining consistent and compatible service delivery, favouring suppliers with existing ties or relevant experience with NHS mental health services. Businesses able to leverage existing relationships with public authorities or demonstrate strong alignment with community support goals can achieve notable growth through this procurement opportunity.