Forensic care is specialised care and support provided to individuals involved with the criminal justice system, particularly those with mental health conditions, learning and physical disabilities aimed at reducing risk of offending, or re-offending, and harm to others. This type of care and support includes risk management, supervision and community support with an aim of improving mental health outcomes while reducing the likelihood of criminal behaviour.

There is a requirement to commission specialist, person-centred care and support services for adults who present with complex needs and significant levels of risk, including individuals subject to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and those transitioning from prison, secure care or other restricted settings into the community. The service will deliver flexible, community-based support to individuals with complex physical health needs, learning disabilities, mental health conditions, substance use issues, behavioural support needs and those subject to legal or criminal justice measures. Support will be tailored to individual assessed needs and outcomes, enabling people to live safely and as independently as possible within their own homes and communities. Providers will work collaboratively with the individual and statutory partners including health, social work, housing and criminal justice services to develop and deliver personalised support plans. The service will promote recovery, rehabilitation, risk management, social inclusion and positive outcomes, while supporting individuals to engage with relevant services, reduce the risk of reoffending, prevent avoidable hospital admissions or institutional care, and maintain their health, wellbeing and independence. This contract is being commissioned as a test of change to evaluate a revised service model giving the opportunity to shape provision on a live basis. The evaluation and outcomes of the test of change will inform future commissioning decisions, the award of this contract does not imply any commitment to extend, renew, or procure future services on the same basis.