1. Introduction

The National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) wishes to review the impact and outcomes of the Ambassadors Programme in delivering race equality in mental health.  The Programme was established as part of the implementation of the policy Delivering Race Equality in Mental Health Care.  The findings from this work are intended to demonstrate learning from and impact of the Ambassadors Programme.  The report will also inform Coalition Government policies for the engagement and involvement of service users and carers in mental health policy implementation and operational services.

NMHDU is inviting submissions of proposals for delivering the objectives of this strictly time-limited (three months) review of the Ambassadors Programme.

• The product will be a national report which will highlight and clarify: -
• The context to the formation of the Ambassadors Programme in 2007, its intended purpose and the extent to which this has been achieved;
• The impact of the programme at national level;
• The impact of the programme at regional level;
• An assessment of the impact that organisational and system changes in mental health policy implementation had on the DRE and Ambassador Programmes;
• The development of the programme to focus on outcomes;
• Whether the personal development programme put in place for Ambassadors was effective in achieving outcomes;
• The learning Ambassadors gained in fulfilling the twin roles of Survivors and Professionals
• Suggestions for the way forward, capitalising on the strengths and learning
• Suggestions to inform future models for service user and carer influencing of mental health and equalities

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;
• knowledge of legislation and national policy in relation equality and diversity in mental health.
  

We would particularly welcome proposals from service user and carer led organisations and individual service user and carer consultants.

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.

The National Mental Health Development Unit 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'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 Equality Act protected characteristics of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and religion..  Three pre-existing programmes were brought together to create the initial focus for the integrated equalities approach:

• Delivering Race Equality (DRE) - (2005-2010).  This was a five year action 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.
• 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 has expanded its focus to include men and people who are transgender.
• Mental Health in Later Life- established in 2004.  The work supports age equality and the development of services for older adults who use mental health services in England.

The work of the MHEP is to offer evidence-based support to help local organisations and communities implement policy and promote innovation.

The philosophy of the MHEP is underpinned by the knowledge and understanding that inequality is unlikely to be constrained to one equality strand.  It is therefore important to take a broad approach to achieving equality, which recognises the inter-relationship between the protected characteristics. 

The overall aims of the Ambassadors were to coordinate involvement of service users and carers in order to ensure that progress within the programme is shared with and influenced by BME service users and carers both inside and outside of mental health services.

To take this forward the group worked to:

• Develop leadership of service users and carers to contribute to the national and regional activities
• Consult and advise on activities for key areas for the DRE Programme from their regions
• Establish a national consensus and share information on progress under the programme with other users and communities in their regions
• Develop a process through the Ambassadors Programme, with the aim of ensuring consistency and effectiveness of BME user and carer engagement, participation and support at national, regional and local levels.
• Enable local and regional services to engage more effectively with service users and carers by adopting a leadership role and making connections between services and communities

The review of the Ambassador Programme will evaluate effectiveness in delivering the race equality agenda as the programme was from the DRE initiative but the learning about impact and scope will be relevant for a broad-based approach to promoting equality of engagement across the board. 

4. Outcomes Criteria

• Delivery of the review report as set out above within agreed timescale and within cost;
• Successful engagement of partners such as regional leads, commissioners, mental health service providers and Ambassadors themselves;
• Evidence and references for findings and recommendations;
• A succinct and accessible report;
• An honest appraisal to influence improved engagement.

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. Evaluation Criteria

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8. Project Timescales

Proposals should be completed, in accordance with this tender and submitted by 12 noon on 12 November 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 alongside the evaluation criteria. A short list of proposals will be drawn up and candidates will be invited to interview on 1 December 2010, between 10.00 - 5pm at the Kings Fund Building, 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 Equality Project Lead, NMHDU (Contact information can be found in the next section)

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:

9. Management and Reporting Procedures

The project will be managed by the NMHDU / MHEP Lead who will monitor progress.

Further Information

For further information regarding the submission of proposals or any general enquiries, please contact Hári Sewell, National Equality Project Lead, hari.sewell@nmhdu.org.uk  or by telephone on 07737 281123.

10. Submission of Proposals

Proposals should be submitted by 12 noon Friday, 12 November 2010.

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 Ambassadors Evaluation to:

Business Manager, National Mental Health Equalities Programme, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN

The National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) is the agency charged with supporting the implementation of mental health policy in England by the Department of Health in collaboration with the NHS, Local Authorities and other major stakeholders.