The Provision of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) For Residents Who Access Drug and Alcohol Services in the City of Sunderland Council Area

A contract for provision of an Individual Placement and Support Services (IPS) for Residents who Access Drug and Alcohol Services in the City of Sunderland Council Area. The Sunderland IPS Scheme will be available to individuals of working age (16+), resident in the Sunderland area, who are engaged in structured treatment for drug and/or alcohol issues and are out of work.

The 'structured treatment' can be provided by either a young person's community-based specialist substance use service; an adult's community-based specialist substance use service; or an 'all age' community-based specialist substance use service, (hereafter these services will be collectively referred to as 'specialist community drug and alcohol treatment services). The Scheme will provide bespoke 'packages' of support to assist service users into sustainable, paid employment.

The Authority intends to award a contract for the Service to the existing provider pursuant to Direct Award Process C under Regulation 9 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 ("PSR"). This is a notice under Regulation 9 (3) of the Authority's intention to award the contract for the Service as described below to the existing provider.

The contract is for the provision of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for residents who access drug and alcohol services in the city of Sunderland council area and will be available to individuals of working age (16+), resident in the Sunderland area, who are engaged in structured drug and/or alcohol treatment and are out of work. The 'structured treatment' can be provided by either a young person's community-based specialist substance use service; an adult's community based specialist substance use service; or an 'all age' community based specialist substance use service.

The Scheme will provide bespoke 'packages' of support to assist service users into sustainable, paid employment. The Scheme will work flexibly across all the Sunderland area, ensuring equity of service provision, and adjusting delivery in response to any geographical changes in demand.

The contract will run from the 8th June 2026 to the 31st March 2029. The lifetime value of the contract is estimated to be £590,256.80.

The value of year 1 of the contract is £194,366.13 (pro-rata). Year 2 and Year 3 of the contract are subject to confirmation of public health funding from central government.

Additional information: This is a notice under Regulation 9 (3) of the PSR of the Authority's intention to award the contract for the Service to the existing provider pursuant to Direct Award Process C. The award of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this proposed award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Year 2 and Year 3 of the contract is subject to funding from the Funder.