1. Introduction
The National Mental
Health Development Unit (NMHDU)
wishes to review the impact and outcomes of the national pool of
community development workers appointed as part of the implementation of the
policy Delivering Race Equality in Mental Health Care. The learning from this evaluation is
intended to support local decision-making about the future deployment of these
roles - in particular the functions and tasks to be prioritised.
NMHDU is
inviting submissions of proposals for delivering the objectives of this
evaluation of CDWs.
The
product will be a national evaluation report which will: -
1) identify skills utilised and gaps
2) identify the extent of linkage with
other initiatives to promote fairness and equalities
3) identify key areas/themes of the work of
CDWs nationally and regionally;
4) identify how these related to the
intended aims of the role
5) measure the impact and progress of CDWs
in relation to:
a. Strategic
links within organisations
b. Operational
links within organisations
c. Extent
to which an evidence base for learning and good practice has been developed
d. Levels
of support to non-statutory sector groups
e. Ability
to identify and access partners
f. Degree
to which needs and views of local communities are linked into commissioning and
provision processes
6) evaluate the relative effectiveness of
differing models such as geographical or ethnic group focus
7) identify barriers to continuing
deployment of CDWs
8) evaluate the prerequisites for effective
transition from single focus to a broader equalities approach
We invite proposals from
consultants, organisations or consortia of individuals/organisations with:
- a proven track record in service development;
- a sound understanding of equality and diversity and their impact upon mental health and action to address these;
- a demonstrable commitment to involving service users/people with lived experience of mental health problems in influencing the direction of service improvement;
- the legislative, policy and service context for equality and diversity and mental health;
2. About NMHDU and the Equality Programme
The Mental Health Equalities Programme
(MHEP) seeks to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for people with mental
health issues. It is a major workstream within the National Mental Health Development
Unit (NMHDU).
The
National Mental Health Development Unit (see www.nmhdu.org.uk) was launched in April
2009. It consists of a small
central team and a range of programmes funded by both the Department of Health
and the NHS. It provides national support for implementing mental health policy
by advising on national and international best practice to improve mental
health and mental health services.
NMHDU does this by commissioning or providing:
·
Specialist
expertise in priority areas of policy and delivery
·
Effective
knowledge transfer on research, evidence and good practice
·
Translation
of national policies into practical deliverables that achieve outcomes
·
Coordination
of national activity to help regional and local implementation.
NMHDU's
work is being developed through co-production between DH and the ten Strategic
Health Authorities (SHAs), and strategic partnerships with other groups such as
the NHS
Confederation, the Association
of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and the major mental health
third sector organisations.
3.
Context to Project
The mental health programme has
established streams of work across six of the equality strands. Three pre-existing programmes were
brought together to create the initial focus for the integrated equalities
approach:
o
Delivering
Race Equality - established in 2005.
This is a five year plan formed to improve access, outcomes and
experiences for people from diverse communities. It was designed to tackle mental health inequalities for all
people of Black and Minority Ethnic origin, including people
of Irish or Mediterranean origin and East European migrants, whereby people
from BME communities feel more able to access and have improved confidence in
mental health services.
o
Gender
Equality - established in 2004 following the publication of ‘Into the
Mainstream' (DH, 2002) and ‘Mainstreaming Gender and Women's Mental Health'
(DH, 2003). The programme
initially focused on the implementing these policy documents but has recently
expanded its' focus to include men and transgender.
o
Later
Life in Mental Health - established in 2004. The work supports the development of
services for older adults who use mental health services in England. It aims to
offer evidence-based support to help local organisations and communities
implement policy and promote innovation.
The philosophy of the
Equality Programme is underpinned by the knowledge and understanding that
inequality is unlikely to be constrained to one equality strand. Inequality issues often straddle many
different strands such as individuals who experience discrimination as a result
of their ethnicity may also experience discrimination or disadvantage because
they are also disabled or are a women.
It is therefore important that to take a broad approach to achieving
equality and recognise the inter-relationship between the recognised
strands. It is also crucial that
equality is not viewed through the lens of one equality strand as has been
evident at times.
The community development
worker roles were funded from national monies but allocated to primary care
trusts. Guidance and templates
were developed to support the appointment of CDW roles. Primary care trust, mental health
provider trusts and voluntary sector organisations were employers in different
parts of the country. NMHDU and predecessor organisations have maintained
support to CDWs through a national network. Despite the local determination of priorities and approaches
to delivery, the impact of the pool CDWs nationally needs to be assessed by analysing
the intended purpose of the roles nationally and local plans against outcomes
achieved. Themes across the
country will need to be highlighted as well as examples of exceptional
achievement.
The evaluation of the
CDW clearly relates to roles derived from the DRE initiative but the learning about
impact and scope will be relevant to all of work of the Equalities Programme.
4. Outcomes
Criteria
o
Delivery of the evaluation report as set out
above within agreed timescale
o
Successful engagement of partners such as
commissioners, mental health service providers and CDWs themselves
o
Evidence and references for findings and
recommendations
o
A succinct and accessible report
5. Proposal Requirements
As well as addressing the
above the proposal should contain the following information:
· A
detailed plan of how the project and its key outputs will be achieved
· Names
of project team members and their CVs
· A
named Project Lead
· A
breakdown of cost for the successful delivery, which is to include: cost of
project lead and expenses;
· Details
of experience and reputation in undertaking similar work (including references
if applicable)
· Demonstration
of best value for money
· Evidence
of capacity to undertake the work given other commitments
· Quality
and Service Delivery
· Compliance
with Equality and Diversity legislation
· Identified
risk assessment
· Insurance
details e.g. Public Liability
· Sources
of information that will be gathered.
6. Budget
NMHDU will provide funding to
the successful bidder(s) as follows:
·
50% on signing of contract
·
50% upon approval of final draft of reports.
7. Project Timescales
Proposals should be
completed, in accordance with this tender and submitted by 12 noon on 18th October 2010. Following the closing
date for submission of proposals, a Selection Panel will meet to review and
short list the bids. The panel
will review the bids using the criteria outlined in the Proposal Requirements
section of this project specification.
A short list of proposals will be drawn up and candidates will be
invited to interview on 1st November 2010, between 10.00 -5pm at the
Kings Fund, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0AN.
Thereafter the successful
candidate will be advised and the contract will subsequently be agreed. If desired the successful bidder may
attend a contract meeting.
If you would like further information on this
please contact Hári Sewell, National Equalities Lead, NMHDU
Precise date of deliverables
will be based on the programme plan submitted and agreed in initial contract
discussions; the anticipated project timetable is detailed below:
8. Management and Reporting Procedures
The project will be managed
by the NMHDU National Equalities Lead, Mental Health Equality Programme who
will monitor progress.
Further Information
For further information
regarding the submission of proposals or any general enquiries, please contact Hári
Sewell hari.sewell@nmhdu.org.uk or by telephone on: 07737 281123.
9. Submission of Proposals
Proposals should be submitted
by 12 noon on 18th October
2010.
Tenderers should download the
tender packs listed below (sections 1-6), complete and return along with their proposal on
or before the closing date. Your proposal should be typed in hard copy. A total
of 3 copies of the proposal should be submitted. All copies of your tender
application should be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked CONFIDENTIAL: Tender Document for CDW
Evaluation to:
Business
Manager
National
Mental Health Equalities Programme
Please note tenders received after this date will not be considered.
Tender Documentation to download
Evaluation Criteria
S1 Form of Tender Parts 1-3
S2- (Basic) Conditions
S4 Schedule of Prices
S5 Administrative Address
S6 Confidential Information
DH formal Annex A (Services)