ASD Post-Diagnostic Psychoeducational Resource for Parents/Carers and Young People in Greater Essex

The Contracting Authority(s) (hereinafter referred to as "the Authority") for this Due Diligence are NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB and NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB. The Authority has awarded a contract to KIDS for the design, development, digitisation and pilot implementation of two psychoeducational resources, across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock. These will be evidence-based therapeutic interventions, that provide information and support to better understand and cope with autism for CYP and for parents and carers of CYP, following diagnosis. The project aims to deliver the national and local ambition to design and implement a psychoeducational resource which: - Provides information about autism as a diagnosis. - Helps people come to terms with their diagnosis. - Identifies additional coping strategies for everyday challenges (such as managing difficult sensory environments or stigma). -Provides opportunities to engage with other autistic people who may have had similar experiences. -Helps the parent/carer or young person feel empowered in living with their diagnosis. Is available to parents/carers and young people on an ongoing basis, to be accessible as and when required. The content will be evidence based, co-produced with families and professionals, and include a range of topics including financial advice, relational peer support, relationship management, emotional adjustment, long term stress management, resilience, stigma protection etc. Successful delivery will require a combination of expertise, skills and experience in terms of the digital sphere, alongside experience of working with children, young people and families with SEND. The contract commences 23rd January 2023 for a period of c. 39 months, expiring 31st March 2026, at an aggregate value of £398,000. The contract is awarded as a result of a due diligence process undertaken as a negotiation without prior publication, under Regulation 32 (1) (a) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 ("PCR 2015") (as amended The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020), following an unsuccessful open tender procedure published 16 September 2022 and conducted in compliance with the same Regulations (2022/S 000-026063). The due diligence process and intention to award was supported by a Voluntary Ex Ante Standstill Notice published in Find a Tender Service on 30th November 2022 (2022-043964), the standstill for which expired midnight on 5th January 2023. A Lotting Strategy was deemed inappropriate as it risked creation of unnecessary fragmentation and complexity. Accordingly, the service was procured as a single contract awarded to a single Preferred Bidder. The requirement to which this procurement related, fall within the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (as amended The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020) (the "Regulations").