1. Introduction
The Mental Health Equalities programme (MHEP)
within the National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU) leads on the
implementation of the equalities aspects of national mental health policy. We
are launching an initiative to support mental health organisations to develop ways
of promoting Age Equality in mental health in later life (external link) in the context of the
Equality Act.
In order to move this agenda forward, NMHDU/MHEP
want to test the DH approved Achieving Age Equality (AAE) Resource pack,
focusing on the audit tool, the mental health criteria and supporting
indicators. In order to do this MHEP wish to appoint an individual/consultancy
organisation to design, facilitate and support an action learning network
focusing on promoting age equality in mental health. The network will cover two
NHS Strategic Health Authority areas, with up to 6 PCTs participating from each
SHA (ie maximum of 12 PCTs and their commissioning and delivery partners
supported through the network (i.e. LAs, third sector providers, older people's
forums/groups, private providers etc).
NMHDU
is inviting submissions of proposals for delivering the objectives of this
initiative.
The
aim of this piece of work is to:
- test the DH approved Achieving Age Equality Resource pack focusing on the audit tool, the mental health criteria and supporting indicators;
- support one action learning network ( which will include ) in order to explore, action and support best practice in developing and delivering age equal mental health services;
- develop and implement an action plan for ending age discrimination and promoting age equality in mental health services in the context of the Equality Act 2010
- capture and disseminate examples of best practice, including a range of models for commissioning and delivering mental health services that are age equal;
- produce materials for briefings and wider use.
We invite proposals covering
each of the areas highlighted 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 and in particular the issues around age
equality.
a
demonstrable commitment to involving service users/people with lived experience
of mental health problems in influencing the direction of service improvement;
a
demonstrable understanding of 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 the Department of Health and the ten 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 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. It is also crucial that equality and
inequality are not viewed through a single lens.
The Overarching objectives of the work of
the Equality team is to focus on:
· Being
person centred - with an emphasis on dignity, respect, safety
· Supporting improvements in health and social care within a human
rights framework for legislation compliance
· Reducing inequalities
· Valuing and celebrating
diversity
· Promoting organisational/attitudinal change and development
The recent review of age
discrimination in health and social care (Achieving
Age Equality in Health & Social Care: a report to the Secretary of State
for Health by Sir Ian Carruthers OBE and Jan Ormondroyd, October 2009 ( click
here for a copy) identified a number of key concerns about achieving age
equality in general and mental
health in particular. In many instances there is a need to focus on reducing
inequality for older people.
A number of reports,
including the Health Care Commission report (July 2009) and Royal College of
Psychiatrists (RCP) Age Discrimination position statement (November 2009), have
shown that older people are being denied access to the full range of mental
health services that are available to younger adults. In particular, they found
that there was poor access to out-of-hours and crisis services, psychological
therapies and alcohol services. This has a major consequence for morbidity and
mortality, costs, and quality.
As part of the development of
the DH approved resource pack for Achieving Age Equality NMHDU/MHEP supported
the development of the mental health criteria, and mental health resource pack.
4. Outcomes
Criteria
o
Successful engagement of stakeholders where
challenges and shaping are productive
o
Improved user and carer engagement
o
Cross fertilisation and networking, accessing
best practice examples
o
Making best use of existing local data sets
o
Demonstrate how working to deliver age equality can
help local agencies deliver local and national indicators.
o
Dissemination of resources, briefings.
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
· Name(s)
of project team members and their CV(s)
· A
named Project Lead
· A
breakdown of costs 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?
6. Budget
NMHDU will provide milestone
payments to the successful bidder(s) at each stage as follows
·
50% on signing of contract
·
25% on completion of stage 3
·
25%
upon submission of final reports
7. Evaluation Criteria
See Appendix B and based on understanding
of the subject matter, publication and approach.
Download a copy
8. Project Timescales
Proposals should be
completed, in accordance with the invitation to tender (ITT) requirements and
submitted by 1200 noon on 19 October 2010.
Following the closing date
for submission of proposals, a Selection Panel will meet to review and
shortlist the bids. The panel will review the bids using the selection criteria
outlined in the Proposal Requirements section of this project specification. Please note that shortlisted/unsuccessful
individuals or organisations will only be contacted after the panel has
completed selection.
A short list of proposals
will be drawn up and candidates will be invited to interview on 27 October 2010
between 10.30am - 4pm at the King's 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 Polly Kaiser, National Project Lead (Age Equality), NMHDU/MHEP (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:
| Task |
Timescale |
| Develop project specification |
August/September 2010 |
| Post advert on website |
1 October 2010 |
| Interviewing |
27 October 2010 |
| Select and appoint lead |
27 October 2010 |
| Stage
1 Identify /secure commitment from participating regions, strategic health authorities, PCTs/local authorities. Clarify contribution and requirements from participating areas and likely involvement from key personnel |
October 2010 |
| Hold the first workshop for action learning set
with 2 SHA's and participating PCTs together with NMHDU, and members of the
AAE Steering Group hosted by NMHDU. |
Cross SHA 3rd week
November |
|
Stage 2 end of November to February undertake the audit. understanding about
age discrimination/age equality. ideal process). guidance as required (set up blog / webspace / Basecamp site to enable groups to exchange experience, information
and emerging findings etc). care community |
In situ support which will provide 2 days support per health and social care community (currently PCT) This will focus on support around engaging stakeholders and using and understanding data Organising around LA boundaries |
| Present to Equalities
Board, AAE steering group and
other stakeholder groups |
During 2010 |
| Stage 3: Hold the second workshop across the action learning set- looking at outcomes, sharing experiences, and sharing of action plans. Submission of draft report |
February 2011 |
| Stage
4 Final reports , outputs, recommendations |
March 2011 |
8. Governance
For Promoting Age
Equality in Mental Health
PrAE in MH steering
group*
* The steering
group represents Mental Health division, Older People division and MHEP.
9. Management and Reporting Procedures
The project will be managed
by the NMHDU/MHEP National Deputy Equality Programme Lead who will monitor
progress.
The PrAE in Mental Health
steering group will oversee the project, provide guidance, expertise and
support. This will be led by the Mental Health Equality Lead for later life.
Further Information
For further information
regarding the submission of proposals or any general enquiries, please contact Polly
Kaiser polly.kaiser@nmhdu.org.uk or by telephone on: 07771 952696.
10. Submission of Proposals
Proposals should be submitted
by 1200 Noon Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Tenderers should download the
tender packs (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 PrAE in MH to:
Business Manager
National
Mental Health Equalities Programme
PLEASE NOTE TENDERS RECEIVED AFTER THIS DATE WILL NOT BE
CONSIDERED.
Tender Documentation to download
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)