Autism Navigation Service

Essex County Council (ECC) are re-commissioning the Autism Navigation Service (ANS) for Autistic adults across Essex, Thurrock, and Southend. The ANS is a unique service that supports adults (18+) seeking a diagnosis, or who already have a diagnosis, of autism.

The service provides support rooted in advocacy on a 1:1 basis pre, mid and post-diagnostic assessment. The aim is to help a person to navigate the pathway, and access additional support to overcome issues, preventing needs from escalating.

For the avoidance of doubt, this contract is being awarded under CPV Code: 85323000-9, which states "Community health services, but only in respect of community health services which are delivered to individuals". The contract is for a period of three (3) years with the option to extend for a further (2) years, subject to governance.

For the avoidance of doubt, the total value of this contract has been calculated using the total five (5) year period. The yearly cost of this service totals £250,000.00, giving a total cost for the three (3) years of £750,000.00 and a total cost for the five (5) years of £1,250,000.00.

This is an existing service, with an existing provider. Following the conclusion of the internal governance process.

Essex County Council is due to award a contract to deliver the Autism Navigation Service (ANS) to the incumbent provider under Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime. Please note that the award of the contract of this service remains subject to the successful conclusion of the standstill period as detailed within section IV of this notice alongside the full organisational details of the incumbent provider.

The ANS provides a range of evidence-based interventions shaped to meet individual needs and requirements for those accessing the Autism diagnostic pathway. Additionally, the service provides ongoing (light touch) support for individuals who may have previously exited the service and /or have had a historic diagnosis of autism.

For the avoidance of doubt, this service is essentially a straight rebuy of the current service. This will be procured and commissioned under an initial term of three (3) years with an option to extend for a further two (2) years, therefore resulting in a maximum contractual duration of five (5) years.

This contract will officially start on the 1st June 2026, with an expiry date of 31st May 2029, pending the enactment of any optional extension periods. For the avoidance of any doubt, please be advised that if the extension period is enacted, the contract will expire on the 31st May 2031.

Following Essex County Council's assessment of the incumbent providers' delivery of the current service against the five key criteria within the Provider Selection Regime (as outlined below), we are satisfied that the incumbent provider is currently delivering the contract to a sufficient standard. Furthermore, our review has also confirmed that ECC are satisfied that the provider will continue to satisfy the proposed criteria to a sufficient standard.

As per the 2023 Provider Selection Regime regulations, the five key criteria are as per below alongside the following weightings: 1) Quality and innovation - 35% 2) Value - 20% 3) Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - 15% 4) Improving access, reducing health inequality, and facilitating choice - 20% 5) Social Value - 10% Please be advised that we have allocated separate weightings to each of the five criteria following an assessment of the service delivery. The assessment of the future service has been determined by the methodical review of the incumbent provider's quarterly returns under the contract management process.

Regarding the first key criteria (quality and innovation), quality has been given the highest weighting in line with the pervious tender, which is due to the specialist nature of this service. The incumbent provider has successfully met, and in some cases, exceeded their KPI's and delivery targets.

Additionally, the incumbent provider has successfully used innovation funding to adapt to emerging demand, which can be evidenced with their peer support groups and family training offer. Regarding the second key criteria (value), the incumbent provider has provided us with case studies that highlight the cost avoidance, which is been achieved by a mix of crisis intervention and reduced escalation.

Additionally, the service has not been delivered over budget and represents effective value for money. The commissioner has completed Dunn & Bradstreet checks on the provider, which has confirmed an overall low business risk.

Regarding the third key criteria (Integration, collaboration, and sustainability), the incumbent provider has a track record for forging and maintaining relationships with key partners to ensure service delivery. Specifically, the incumbent provider regularly attends MDT meetings, which is required to liaise with clinical diagnostic teams.

Additionally, last quarter, the incumbent provider enabled 30 reasonable adjustments to be made during autism assessments. Regarding the fourth key criteria (access, inequalities, and choice), the incumbent provider has consistently increased awareness and access to the service.

Specifically, 176 referrals were made for the core service across the previous quarter, which have been made from a variety of sources and vastly surpass their KPI. Additionally, support is offered flexibly through: phone calls, emails, face-to-face or virtual means, which enables support in a way that suits the individual.

Going forward, the incumbent provider has all the relevant infrastructure in place to continue to meet this criteria in the future. Regarding the fifth and final key criteria (social value), the incumbent provider has successfully delivered all of their social value commitments for the previous contracts, and in some cases, over delivered.

Additionally, the incumbent provider was nominated for a social value award in 2023 because of their social value delivery. Going forward, the incumbent provider has provided assurance that they will continue to meet the required social value commitments as per the unchanged contract terms. It is worth noting that as the total value of the contract will not change, there will be limited scope to boost further social value commitments.