Invitation to Tender: Scoping current input and potential of the Third Sector organisations to provide or contribute to Liaison and Diversion service.

National Programme: ‘Improving Health, Supporting Justice'
Supporting the Development of Liaison and Division Services for Mental Health Offenders
National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU)
Invitation to Tender
For: Scoping current input and potential of the Third Sector organisations to provide or contribute to Liaison and Diversion service.


Key Deliverables
Background information

This project is based on a priority recommendations from Lord Bradley Report taking forward some of key recommendations. Four key documents influence the scope and development of the Liaison and Diversion Programme. 
Improving Health, Supporting Justice, November 2009
In that; Many offenders, particularly with a history of persistent offending, have health and social care needs which may be causally linked to their offending behaviour. In addition, the proportion of this population with mental health needs is far higher than that found within the general community, and they are often associated with issues of drug and/or alcohol misuse and social exclusion. There are gaps in the provision of integrated systems (court diversion assessment and criminal justice liaison) for people coming before the courts who require specialised mental health treatment, whose behaviour does not represent so high a level of risk that they warrant detention in prison or secure NHS services. They are hard to reach and to engage and fall through the net.
The Bradley Report , April  2009
In that; Services should aim for early assessment of needs in the offender care pathway with a focus on prevention and early intervention leading to informed decisions on appropriate and timely treatment.
The recommendations contained in Appendix 1 are key to this project.
October 2009
In that; Greater diversion of offenders into mental health care from courts and police custody with a focus on prevention and early intervention upon the backdrop of innovation in service delivery and commissioning, collaboration and information sharing between agencies and improving productivity and value for mental health offender services.
Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health; Diversion - A better way for criminal justice and mental health.
 In that; Recommendations 7 and 19; The Department of Health / Ministry of Justice commission a programme of research studies on diversion and liaison, based on high-quality research methods, to improve our knowledge of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness; and to consider setting up a small number of pilot projects to explore different models of pre-arrest diversion.

This Programme is located within the National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU). It's key function is to provide high-level support to the Department of Health in developing mental health policy and the NHS and social care partners in implementation, as commissioners or providers, by means of:

  • Specialist expertise in agreed priority areas of policy and delivery;
  • Effective knowledge transfer in relation to research, evidence and good practice;
  • Translation of national policies into practical deliverables to achieve desired outcomes;
  • Coordination of national activity to support local and regional delivery.


2.    Tender brief
Scoping Current Input and potential of the Third Sector organisations to provide or contribute to Liaison and Diversion services

3.    Key Deliverables of the project

  • Levels of existing third sector provision for diversion service.
  • Scoping of potential ‘untapped' capacity for increased 3rd sector involvement.  
  • Capacity and challenges for third sector organisations in the provision of diversion and liaison services.


4.  Core tender brief
NMHDU invites tenders by written proposal - that should not exceed 2500 words -  to fulfil the tender brief.
Written proposal should include the following:

  • Method(s) of delivery
  • Timelines for each stage of the project.
  • Indication of appropriate stages of project to consult with client.
  • Proposed format of final report including key outcomes / conclusions.
  • Details of effective track record in successfully completing projects of a similar nature (including any supporting documents and contact details of referees)
  • and ii) knowledge and experience of the education and training sector.
  • Approximate duration of the project.


5.  Project budget
 Tender brief:  £20,000
6.  Project timescale
Commencement  on 1st May 2010
7.  Tendering timescale
Deadline date for submission of tender:  9.00 am,  23rd April 2010

Email to:
Magdalena.Milejczak@nmhdu.org.uk
National Mental Health Development Unit
Wellington House,
133-155 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8UG
T: 020 7972 4803
M: 07813 319 362

Shortlisting date:23rd April 2010
Interview date:   27th April 2010