Purpose

This report seeks approval of the recommended procurement strategy for Public Mental Health Training in the community.

In October 2023, the Public Health Management Team approved the commissioning of Public Mental Health Training (PMHT) contract that will include Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) `and Trauma Informed Training.

The contractual terms will be 3+2 years, maximum annual value £150,000, total value £750,000.

Decision

The Director of Public Health AGREED to:

Approve the procurement strategy within this report to undertake a compliant procurement process which will result in a contract for Public Mental Health Training Service for a term of 5 years (3+2), at a maximum annual value £150,000, total value £750,000.

Reasons for the decision

The council is seeking to commission Public Mental Health Training, including MHFA and Trauma Informed Training (TI), and other training determined by local need, via an open tender route.

MHFA training is currently delivered inhouse and Trauma Informed Training is delivered by an external organisation. Both training was originally due to end on 31st March 2025, however, have been extended to limit the break in provision.

For MHFA, staffing relating to fixed term contract ended on 31st March 2025. However, the sessional workers delivering the training is on-going and HR continues to be consulted in relation to these staffs. HR have been consulted on the implications of the recommended route.

The current Trauma Informed Training contract is due to end on the 31st of December 2025.

The Public Health Team are seeking to commission Public Mental Health Training, including MHFA and TI elements of training to a community organisation to enable the provision to reach more diverse communities.

The aim is that the new contract will:

• Build capacity in existing community organisations in Croydon.

• Offer targeted approach to ensured underrepresented communities’ benefit from mental health literacy.

• Facilitate a peer network to promote learning.

The service specification will require the successful provider to work towards a self-sustaining model over the time of the contract.

Specific KPI’s will be built into the specification to ensure the provider works towards a self-sustainable model and is self-funding by the end of the contract.

This will be reviewed annually and extension beyond 3 years will be based on the providers progress towards sustainability.

Alternative options considered

The table below considers a range of options including open tender v call-off from an existing framework. Option 1 is recommended as it offers the best possible outcome for public mental health in the community.

Options

Advantages

Disadvantages

1. Recommended Option. Commission a provider to deliver public mental health training in the community via an open procurement process.

.

• Local providers are offering a similar training model, will add capacity to the local offer

• Transferring of funds back into the community.

• Local offer will allow flexibility and be needs led.

• Provider will be required to work to a self-sustaining model, this will result in savings.

• Will require to work towards self-sustainable model by the end of the contract.

• Council having less oversight due to being commissioned out, compared to previous arrangements.

1. Not recommended. Procure via a call-off from an existing framework.

• Potentially quicker Procurement Process

• The option of a direct award.

• Frameworks explored could not provide the specific nature of requirements for this service.

• Smaller pool of providers would reduce competition and potentially result in a higher cost.

1. Not recommended. 

Cease programme at end of 31.3.2024

• This would mean Public Health team’s work returns to core functions of strategic influencing/commissioning, not service delivery.

• Poor return on initial investment.

• Potential political risk as Mayor/council may be perceived as neglecting vulnerable residents.

• Potential increased demands on council and wider services from vulnerable people at increased risk of mental illness as they will not have access to advice, advocacy and peer support in the community.

• Increased health inequalities in the long term.

• Does not align with Health and Care plan priorities.