Voluntary Early Intervention Back Pain Pilot

South East Wales District intend to use FSF to carry out a small-scale feasibility pilot to test the concept of providing access to a telephone triage service and National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) approved therapies prior to Work Capability Assessment (WCA), supports ESA claimants with musculoskeletal conditions to move closer to, or return to work. Therapies will include physical, manual and psychological treatments such as exercise, physiotherapy and congitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

The aim of this small-scale feasibility pilot is to offer a new service and test the design detail of the intervention(s) and therapies (including eligibility and volumes offered), methods of tracking findings and, the initial effects. These findings, Powered by BravoSolution eSourcing Technology 5 / 11 alongside the results of other pilots, will help to inform what types of support best assist ESA claimants with back pain (and secondary mental health conditions) to progress in the labour market.

It is, therefore, important that the Provider has the capability to: Deliver a telephone triage service; Work with ESA claimants to provide a combination of physical, manual and psychological therapies that meet NICE guidelines; Provide a brief write up of the expected number of treatments for each claimant referred; Work consistently with DWP and JCP; Offer design and implementation insights; and Collect feedback from claimants. Although a small-scale feasibility pilot, it offers a unique opportunity to a Provider to help shape and learn what works to improve support for the ESA claimant group.

The Service Delivery Model is to offer a telephone triage service and treatment sessions which may include physical, manual or psychological therapies, alongside advice and information to promote self-management of back pain in an employment support context. The precise intervention will be determined as part of the Tender process.

The Invitation to Tender (ItT) will invite potential bidders to set out how they intend to provide a service and how it should be delivered and the key issues in ensuring successful outcomes, including the capability to deliver the proposal in the labour market context. Potential bidders are expected to ensure the Healthcare Practitioner (HCPs) delivering the service have the relevant qualifications, experience and competencies to provide treatments for individuals with back pain and related mental health conditions. HCPs must be registered with the relevant regulatory and/or professional body on the appropriate part(s) of its registers.