PPN 01/21 - Case Study for (HOPE) Counselling and Therapy Service Counselling Service

The Pupil Wellbeing Service undertook a procurement to replace the previous Independent Counselling Service for Schools contract.  This service provides post primary pupils in mainstream, Special schools and EOTAS centres access to independent school-based counselling.   As such these services are subject to the provisions of Section 7, Regulation 74 - 77 of the Public Contracts Regulations otherwise known as the “Light Touch Regime”.

Pupils experiencing trauma, stress or emotional problems find it difficult to reach their full potential.  The provision of this service provides access to a consistent, high quality, professional and independent counselling service which supports their engagement with education. 

The Holistic Options for Promoting REsilience (HOPE) Counselling and Therapy Service contract was awarded on 9 July 2024 and the contract commenced on 1 September 2024. Total Contract Value of £30 million.

In line with PPN 01/21 Social Value within Procurement the delivery of social value initiatives was scored and weighted at 10%. 

Following engagement and consultation with the market, bidders were required to consider the following initiatives within their social value delivery plan:

• Paid employment for people who face barriers to employment or are from deprived areas.
• Paid employment for people from the Client's priority group.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives to support employees, including those working remotely, on the contract.
• Initiatives to train and guide teachers/non-teaching staff to support the health and wellbeing of children and young people. 
• Initiatives to train and guide parents to support the health and wellbeing of children and young people. 
• Initiatives to support the wider community and VCSEs to support the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

The evaluation panel identified the following priority groups, allowing awarded suppliers to achieve additional points towards their social value target, if delivered to members of these priority groups:

• A person who is a Looked after Child / Care Leaver.
• A person with a disability.

A points-based approach was used whereby successful suppliers must deliver a minimum of 100 Social Value points for every £1 million (and pro-rata) in invoiced value, capped at an averaged invoiced value of £3 million per annum. As the contract was split across multiple geographical areas, Tenderers submitted a social value plan detailing the initiatives that they would deliver on based on an indicative contract value.  The evaluation panel assessed the social value plans submitted and scored the proposals based on the proposed initiatives, resources to support delivery, timescales and monitoring.

The awarded Contractors will deliver on their plans over the course of the contract period and the outcomes and benefits of the initiatives will be monitored by the contract management team and report to Strategic Investment Board.