Counselling services

{
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-NHS-RV9",
    "name": "HUMBER TEACHING NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
  },
  "date": "2026-02-20T12:19:35Z",
  "id": "015651-2026",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-065878",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Hull",
        "postalCode": "HU106ED",
        "region": "UKE",
        "streetAddress": "Trust HQ, Willerby Hill, Beverley Road, Willerby"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "c.reeson@nhs.net",
        "name": "Charlene Reeson"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.humber.nhs.uk/"
      },
      "id": "GB-NHS-RV9",
      "identifier": {
        "id": "RV9",
        "legalName": "HUMBER TEACHING NHS FOUNDATION TRUST",
        "scheme": "GB-NHS"
      },
      "name": "HUMBER TEACHING NHS FOUNDATION TRUST",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tag": [
    "tenderUpdate"
  ],
  "tender": {
    "amendments": [
      {
        "description": "Please see below the expectations, service standards, and evaluation systems required for external counselling and CBT providers supporting staff. The Occupational Health Department (\"the referrer\") will select providers using best\u2011value principles and the following criteria:\n\u2022 Ensuring the most appropriate counsellor and location for each client.\n\u2022 Considering accessibility, client sensitivity and preferences, plus the counsellor\u0027s skills and therapeutic model.\n\u2022 Matching provision to client need.\nPROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION\nProviders must hold organisational affiliation with a recognised body such as BACP, UKCP, BABCP, or an equivalent association.\nEXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS\nAll counsellors, whether via an agency or independently engaged, must meet the following:\na) Hold a Diploma\u2011level qualification or higher and be registered with BACP, UKCP, BABCP, or a comparable body. Those working toward accreditation may be accepted with Occupational Health agreement.\nb) Have substantial post\u2011qualification practice, including a minimum of 500 supervised hours, plus experience working with employees.\nc) Agencies must obtain a CV, references, evidence of supervision, and annual CPD. Independently contracted counsellors must supply this directly to Occupational Health.\nd) Counsellors must deliver short\u2011term counselling suitable for NHS staff using recognised modalities (e.g. integrative, humanistic, psychodynamic, CBT). Any non\u2011standard approach must be agreed with the Occupational Health Manager.\ne) Providers must ensure safe practice, appropriate support, and clear communication between counsellors, the agency, the referrer, and Occupational Health while upholding confidentiality.\nCHOICE AND ACCESSIBILITY\nAgencies must offer counsellors of both genders and multiple accessible locations across the Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust area, including Hull and East Riding. Independent counsellors will be selected based on specialist skills, client request, or location.\nINSURANCE / INDEMNITY\nProviders must hold appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance and, where applicable, Public Liability Insurance.\nREFERRAL PROCESS\nThe \"1 + 5 model\" applies:\n\u2022 One assessment session plus up to five counselling sessions.\nSessions must be flexible to accommodate working patterns. Additional sessions require approval from the referrer.\nReferrals will be made by email or telephone, and each client will receive a code for billing and evaluation.\nFeedback is normally limited to attendance and evaluation. Session content remains confidential unless the client consents, a Court Order is received, or exceptional circumstances apply.\nTIMESCALES\nProviders must contact the client within 3 working days of referral and begin counselling within 15 working days, subject to availability.\nCONFIDENTIALITY\nConfidentiality must be maintained at all times. Information may only be shared where required for counselling delivery, supervision, or essential administration.\nExceptions include risk of harm, safeguarding, fitness\u2011to\u2011practice concerns, or statutory disclosure. If unclear, anonymous consultation with Occupational Health is advised.\nRECORD KEEPING\nRecords should preferably be handwritten and must comply with professional standards and UK GDPR, ensuring lawful, secure, minimal data processing. Records must be accurate, stored securely, retained only as necessary, and destroyed seven years after counselling ends.\nClients may access their records; third\u2011party access requires consent or legal obligation.\nEVALUATION SYSTEMS\nProviders must use the CORE questionnaire at assessment and final session. Clients will receive a Staff Counselling Evaluation Form, with anonymous data returned to Occupational Health.\nConcerns raised through feedback will be reviewed by the Occupational Health Manager. Providers must also supply presenting\u2011issue data or any requested information relevant to service monitoring.\nMONITORING AND REVIEW\nThe Occupational Health Manager will continuously monitor service quality and manage liaison with providers.\nCOMPLAINTS\nCounsellors must respond to client concerns. Unresolved issues will be escalated to the Occupational Health Manager. Mediation may be arranged to resolve matters within 28 days.\nIf unresolved, Trust complaints procedures and professional codes apply. The Trust may discontinue use of providers if service quality falls below expected standards.\nAPPOINTMENT CANCELLATIONS\nThe Trust will not pay for cancelled sessions unless at least 24 hours\u0027 notice is given.\nFor \"no\u2011show\" appointments, the first missed session will be paid, but no further appointments should be arranged until the client makes contact.\nA second consecutive non\u2011attendance without notice will result in discharge as an \"unplanned ending\". Further counselling must be re\u2011referred through Occupational Health.",
        "id": "1"
      }
    ],
    "classification": {
      "description": "Health services",
      "id": "85100000",
      "scheme": "CPV"
    },
    "description": "The Trust is seeking to engage suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver professional counselling services to support the wellbeing of our staff.\nWe are looking for  practitioners who can offer timely, confidential, and high\u2011quality support across a range of emotional and psychological needs.\nInterested providers will be expected to demonstrate:\nAppropriate professional qualifications and accreditation\nExperience delivering counselling within healthcare or similar  environments\nRobust safeguarding, data protection, and confidentiality processes\nThe ability to provide both face\u2011to\u2011face and remote support options (where applicable)",
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-065878",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32014L0024",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "title": "Counselling services"
  }
}