Framework Contract for Employee Assistance Programme services

Descriptions

The contracting authority is the Welsh Government. It is conducting this procurement activity to establish a Framework contract which will be accessible by Framework members who are contracting authorities within the Welsh public service, and who deliver services on behalf of the Welsh Government.These contracting authorities fall across the following sectors:Welsh Government and its Sponsored BodiesLocal GovernmentFurther Education BodiesHigher Education BodiesUK Police forces operating in WalesOther Executive /Advisory BodiesVoluntary (Third) sector in WalesThe framework agreement will be in respect of the services noted in Lots A – E below. The intention is to select one service provider for Lot A, to provide services on a national basis. In respect of Lots B-E comprehensive geographical coverage across the Lots will be required; this may involve one or more suppliers.Lot ATwo service levels required are required to be offered through an EAP programme: A1 (core) and A2 (Enhanced). Framework members will contract with the Provider(s) for one or other of the service levels noted below: Lot A Service level 1- Core: 24 hour freephone access, 365 days per annum, to professional confidential support and counselling services. Service access for those with disabilities (for example the hard of hearing) must be provided. Calls will not be transferred to an answering machine, nor filtered by an automated telephone menu. Critical Incident support line will be immediately available 24 hours a day, 365 days per annum, to consult on unexpected and potentially traumatic situations that may affect employees. Provision of a consultation service allowing line managers the opportunity to discuss people management and ‘soft skill’ issues with an experienced professional. Access to specialist helplines (legal, debt support, financial advice, child/dependant care matters please note this list is not exhaustive) to include, initial consultation with qualified personnel followed by sign-posting to other sources of support and advice. Access to an extensive employee website, offering information and support on a broad range of issues to provide users with a range of tools for use in day to day life.Lot A Service level 2 – Enhanced. This level assumes all service Level 1 provision, with additional provision to include: Structured face to face counselling (up to 6 as standard) using the Solution Focused Brief Therapy model, delivered within a maximum of 60 minutes’ travel from the employee’s home or place of work. Lots B - EScope of Service: A range of stand alone services, accessed as and when required. B - Face to face counselling sessions: Structured counselling (up to 6 sessions as standard) through the Solutions Focused Brief Therapy model. To be delivered within a maximum of 60 minutes’ travel from the employee’s home or place of work.C - Face to Face Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Focused CBT support (usually no fewer than 8 sessions per case) for particular psychological conditions, such as moderate cases of anxiety, depression or addictive behaviour. To be provided by a British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accredited/registered therapist, acting in accordance with the BABCP Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics. To be delivered within a maximum of 60 minutes’ travel from the employee’s home or place of work.D - Training (including stress management training for managers): Delivery of practical sessions to improve psychological and physical wellbeing, communication, productivity and associated areas of development for employees and managers across a wide range of subjects including people skills for line management, stress awareness and management, and bullying and harassment training, critical incident, mediation and change management.E - Specialist interventions: a comprehensive package to identify and support personnel with particular specialist needs such as alcohol or substance misuse or sexual or domestic abuse, for which the remit of EAP counselling is insufficient to effectively manage the process. Where face to face intervention required, this to be delivered within a maximum of 60 minutes’ travel from the employee’s home or place of work.The estimated value of the Lots within the Framework contract to be awarded based on Expression of Interest received from organisations across the public service in Wales is noted below:Lot A : over the life of the Framework agreement - £1.1mLot B – E : over the life of the Framework agreement - £1.6mThe duration of the Framework contract will be for a period of 36 months, with an option to extend for a further 12 months, to a total of 48 months.Within the duration of the Framework Agreement, framework members will have autonomy to contract with provider(s) according to their needs.