Introduction

The National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU)   is launching an initiative to support mental health organisations to develop their workforce and organisational capabilities in relation to equalities.  Support tools will help organisations to deliver care and treatment to people in a way that takes account of the diversity of peoples backgrounds and identities and also the various forms of discrimination and obstacles they face as a result.  The approach being taken recognizes that training the workforce will not alone bring about the improvement in capability needed.  The wider organizational context needs to be right also.

NMHDU is inviting submissions of proposals for delivering the objectives of this initiative. For FULL DETAILS please download all documentation here

The aim of this piece of work is to produce three products following engagement and piloting in two Strategic Health Authority (SHA) regions.

1). A competency framework, distilling the key elements of the equalities aspects of the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) and informing them with mental health evidence and best practice.  The product will be a list of competencies on four dimensions: values, attitudes, knowledge and skills. These will include competence in all six strands of equalities.

2). Outline specifications for development mechanisms that will be effective in enabling progress on the levels of the competencies.  These will include descriptions of training, learning sets, team-based consultations and case reviews, mentoring, staff groups on reflective practice

3). Selection criteria for providers of development mechanisms.  This will emphasise the need for content knowledge (about all aspects of equalities) as well as technical knowledge (e.g. how to facilitate a staff group).

We invite proposals based on providing reports covering each of the areas highlighted above on the three equality strands identified.  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;

Context to Project

The mental health programme has established work streams in three of the equality strands:

o   Race Equality - Delivering Race Equality - established in 2005.  This was 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. Individuals who experience discrimination as a result of their ethnicity may also experience discrimination or disadvantage because they are also disabled or are women.  It is therefore important to take a broad approach to achieving equality and recognise the inter-relationship between the recognised strands.  It is also crucial that equality and inequality are not viewed through a single lens. 
 
In October 2009 NMHDU agreed to make the transition from a training based approach (i.e. Race Equality & Cultural Awareness Programme - RECAP) to an organisational development approach to improving knowledge and skills of the mental health workforce.  NMHDU also agreed that the organisational development approach should integrate the six equality strands.  Further, NMHDU agreed that the smaller resource in this organisation (in contrast to its predecessor body) meant that the boundary needed to be clearer between advice/support/enabling (NMHDU role) and delivery. 

Outcomes Criteria

• Delivery of the three products as set out above within agreed timescale
• Successful engagement of stakeholders where challenges and shaping are productive
• Securing of at least two pilot sites (service delivery organisations within regions)
• Collection and presentation of effectiveness of the model

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
• Name(s) of project team members and their CV(s)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
• What sources information will be gathered from

Project Timescales

Proposals should be completed, in accordance with this tender and submitted by 12 noon on 7 April 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 Wednesday 26^th April, between 10.30am - 4pm 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.

For further information regarding the submission of proposals or any general enquiries, please contact Sue Waterhouse sue.waterhouse@nmhdu.org.uk or by telephone on: 07966 620291.

Submission of Proposals
Proposals should be submitted by 12 noon on 7^th April 2010.
Please note tenders received after this date will not be considered.

Tenderers should download the tender pack below, 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 EqODP to:
Business Manager
National Mental Health Equalities Programme

Tender Documentation to download
Full tender description and timeline

NMHDU Evaluation Criteria
S1 Form of Tender Parts 1-3
S2- (Professional Services) Conditions
S4 Schedule of Prices
S5 Administrative Address
S6 Confidential Information
DH formal Annex A (Services)

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.