£2,910,000 · UK public procurement notice

HMPPS require the services of suitably qualified and experienced Forensic Psychologists (or Clinical Psychologists with substantial experience in forensic settings) to provide risk assessment services for offenders. Services will be required on both a regular and ad-hoc basis to support work usually undertaken by HMPPS staff

Forensic Psychology services are provided throughout HMPPS in both custody and community. High priority work is providing Forensic Psychological assessments & reports for the purposes of risk management.

The demand for risk assessments is variable and can sometimes outstrip the HMPPS Psychology Service Group (PSG) ability to deliver within timescales required.

The Supplier will be required to deliver forensic psychological risk report services commissioned by HMPPS Psychology Service Group. The Supplier will take instructions on the requirements for the risk assessment. These must meet standards set by the process relevant to the type of report (e.g. Parole Board, MAPPA, internal guidance documents).

An important element of Psychology Services Group’s contribution to rehabilitation of those in our care is the provision of evidence led interventions to address offending behaviour.

Across the HMPPS estate a number of group and individual interventions are delivered and overseen by Registered Psychologists.

These are accredited by the CSAAP (Correctional Services Advice & Accreditation Panel) and therefore are bound by carefully constructed accreditation standards.

In addition, on occasion there is a requirement to deliver a bespoke individual psychological intervention

3.1 Provision of forensic and clinical psychological assessments, involving clinical interview and production of a report. Psychologists will usually be asked to evaluate psychological functioning, risk to self and where indicated, risk to others. The use of forensic/clinical risk assessment tools, psycho-diagnostic tools or psychological tests may also be requested. There may be requests for standalone assessments for example violence risk assessment.

3.2 Delivery of evidence based psychological intervention to improve symptoms of mental health problems, particularly those common to a forensic population. This may include work to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health disorders; reduce alcohol or drug use or prevent relapse; motivate specific behaviours; reduce risks to self and others associated with mental health problems; provide mental health psycho-education; general supportive psychotherapy. In some cases the clinical and risk picture will be complex with overlapping symptoms and co-morbidity. Evidence based treatment models and established approaches used in the clinical/forensic field should be used. A post-treatment report will be required.

3.3 Provision of specialist psychological consultancy to operational staff covering areas such as suicide and self-harm; complex PTSD; comorbidity of personality disorder traits with trauma and stress related disorders. Less frequently, specialist advice on neurodevelopmental disorders and psychotic disorders may be requested. The Authority may request a written summary of consultancy advice provided.

Psychology Services are provided throughout HMPPS in both custody and community. This varies from direct offender facing work, consultancy, research, training and related tasks such as supervision. High priority work is providing Forensic Risk Assessments and Reports, primarily for the Parole Board.

The demand for risk assessments is variable and can sometimes outstrip the PSG ability to deliver within timescales required.

The Provider will be required to deliver high quality forensic psychological risk assessment and reports services to ensure delivery of the required services within HMPPS.

The Provider will take instruction on the requirements for the risk assessment from PSG in line with the Parole Board or other commissioner’s directions.

An important element of PSG’s contribution to rehabilitation of those under prison care is the provision of evidence led interventions to address offending behaviour.

Across the prison estate a number of group, and individual interventions are delivered and overseen by Registered Psychologists.

On occasion there is a requirement to deliver a bespoke individual psychological intervention to some of the most complex individuals within custody. There are three aspects to the provision of intervention services within this contract:

Accredited Interventions delivered by specialist facilitator to individual clients

Accredited Intervention Supervision by Registered Psychologists

Delivery of bespoke psychological interventions to individual clients

The main intervention programme that has been delivered for nearly 15 years is the Healthy Sex Programme (HSP)

PSG is committed to developing the workforce so that the majority of the staff are Registered Psychologists (forensic) with a number of Forensic Psychologist in Training posts in every region to ensure succession planning is a fluent process.

The demand for supervision services is variable depending on a number of factors. Demand may outstrip the capacity of directly employed Registered Psychologists and therefore this contract aims to support the workforce development and enable staff in training to progress at an appropriate speed.

The requirement is for ad hoc assessments of individuals across the UK to assess their psychological state, wellbeing and to inform threat management. The requirement includes an initial assessment, intervention and a small aspect of ongoing care.

NCA require Clinical Psychologists for officers in roles exposed to information that could impact their psychological wellbeing. Officers are assessed prior to being offered the post and then have six monthly reassessments and care as needed