Decision details
Online Mental Health Support and Counselling Service for Young People; approval to award contract
PDF 111 KBDecision Maker: Director of Adult Social Care, Health & Housing
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Purpose:
The contract for the provision of an online
mental health support and counselling service for young people is
to be awarded following a Request for Quotations, with the
‘chosen’ provider to be identified by 1 June
2017.
Decision:
That the Online Mental Health Support and Counselling Service contract due to commence on 1 October 2017 be awarded to Tenderer A.
Reasons for the decision:
To ensure that young people aged 11-19 years (up to 25 years for those who are looked after) can access professional mental health support and counselling at an early stage, in order to prevent the escalation of concerns and reduce the need for them to access the specialist child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS).
Alternative options considered:
To not invest in the continued provision of an online mental health and support counselling service, after the current service terminates on 30 September 2017. This is not considered a suitable option for two reasons; one, the service has evidenced the need and value of having a preventative, convenient alternative to the traditional face-to-face counselling service, that young people can access with minimum waiting time; and two, children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing has been highlighted as a key priority for the Council, due to the unacceptably long waiting times for the specialist child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) and the clear benefits to health and wellbeing of addressing young people’s needs for information and confidential advice at an early stage.
Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:
None.
Reason Key: Affects more than 1 ward;
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Financial Impact: This service will be funded from within the Public Health grant.
Declarations: None.
Subject to Urgent Proceedings: No.
Making Representations: In writing to the Director of Adult Social Care, Health & Housing.
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Meetings with interested parties.
Consultees
East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups.
Contact: Dr Lisa McNally, Strategic Director of Public Health Email: lisa.mcnally@bracknell-forest.gov.uk Tel: 01344 355214.
Publication date: 24/07/2017
Date of decision: 19/07/2017
Effective from: 01/08/2017
Accompanying Documents: