NHS Somerset ICB - Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs)

This is an Intention to Award Notice to award a contract using the Direct award C process under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations for NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the provision of Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). MHSTs were introduced in Somerset in 2019 and have become an established component of the children and young people's mental health system. The national programme continues to expand towards an expectation of 100% pupil population coverage by December 2029. The proposed contract will continue the existing MHST model within Somerset, while supporting the planned expansion of coverage in line with national requirements. Locally, MHSTs are delivering strong outcomes and are well-regarded by schools, children and young people and system partners. A 2025 review of the service confirmed its effectiveness and overall positive performance whilst identifying opportunities for continuous improvement, including strengthening integration, improving productivity and supporting continued expansion The provider has successfully delivered MHST services within Somerset and has established workforce, governance, operational and safeguarding arrangements necessary to support delivery across educational settings, including: • Established relationships with schools and educational settings across Somerset • Experience supporting children and young people with emotional wellbeing and mental health needs • Delivery of community and school-based interventions • partnership working across health, education, social care and other voluntary sector organisations • Established referral, escalation and safeguarding processes. The provider additionally demonstrates the organisational infrastructure and workforce capability required to support delivery of MHST functions within educational settings, including engagement activity, early intervention support, partnership working and operational coordination across Somerset localities. The contract period is 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030. The total combined contract value is £ 13,434,965.17 The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight 3rd July 2026. This exercise was carried out by NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board, supported by NHS South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW), along with the publication of this notice. This contract had not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under PSR.