Purpose

MHFA Training was first offered in Croydon from 2019 as a response to the Sandilands tram incident (2016) and its impact on community mental health.

The MHFA Training programme has been funded using TfL funding and in 2023 the training offer was expanded to include Trauma Informed training.

The MHFA Training programme has been delivered via an in-house team, and the Trauma Informed Training was contracted to an external provider from 2023 -2025.

Following evaluation and consultation it was agreed to commission an external organisation to provide training in the community.

A compliant procurement has now concluded.

Decision

Approve the contract award for Public Mental Health Training for three years with an option to extend for a further two years to the provider and for the value detailed in Part B of this report.

Reasons for the decision

A compliant and successful procurement process has now concluded to deliver Public Mental Health Training, including Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Trauma Informed Training, and other training determined by local need.

MHFA training was previously delivered inhouse and Trauma Informed Training was delivered by an external organisation.

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

The agreed procurement strategy received sign off on 23/6/2025.- PB-2526-000016-S

The new contract will aim to:

• Build capacity in existing community organisations in Croydon.
• Offer targeted approach to ensure underrepresented communities’ benefit from mental health literacy.

• Facilitate a peer network to promote learning.
• The service specification requires the successful provider to work towards a self-sustaining model over the time of the contract.

Alternative options considered

Options

Advantages

Disadvantages

1.Recommended Option.

Award contract to top scoring provider following compliant procurement process

·       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.

2.Not recommended No award of contract

·       Reputational risk for council

·       No service offer for Public Mental Health Training

3. 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.