Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is seeking market engagement in relation to the future provision of a Community Mental Health Advocacy Service for adults aged 18 and over residing in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The service will provide independent, confidential, rights-based advocacy to support individuals accessing mental health services, ensuring their views, wishes and rights are effectively represented. The service must be delivered across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan and operate in accordance with relevant mental health, equality and human rights legislation.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is seeking to engage with suitably qualified and experienced providers regarding the future provision of a Community Mental Health Advocacy Service for adults aged 18 years and over who reside within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The service will form part of a wider, whole-system approach to supporting individuals experiencing mental health difficulties. Its purpose will be to ensure that service users can participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their care and treatment, have their views and wishes appropriately represented, and understand and exercise their rights, particularly when they may be unable or find it difficult to advocate effectively for themselves. The successful provider will be expected to deliver an independent, confidential and rights-based advocacy service through appropriately trained and experienced advocates. Support may include helping individuals to understand available information and options, communicate their views, participate in meetings and care-planning processes, access appropriate services, raise concerns and make informed decisions regarding their care and support. The service will support eligible individuals accessing community-based mental health services, including those subject to Section 117 aftercare arrangements, individuals supported through the Care Programme Approach, Community Mental Health Teams, Assertive Outreach Teams, Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams, and former service users seeking to re-engage with mental health services under the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010. Service delivery will be required across both Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, providing equitable and accessible support for individuals living within urban, rural and diverse communities. The provider will be expected to work collaboratively with the Health Board, local authorities, mental health teams and existing advocacy and support services to promote coordinated pathways, avoid duplication and ensure that service users are directed to the most appropriate source of advocacy support. The service must be responsive to the communication, accessibility, cultural and equality needs of the local population. Delivery arrangements should support fair access to advocacy and provide reasonable adjustments where required. The provider will be required to maintain appropriate standards of safeguarding, confidentiality, information governance, workforce competence, quality assurance, performance monitoring and service-user involvement. The service must operate in accordance with all relevant legislation, statutory guidance and professional standards, including the Mental Health Act 1983, the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. This Prior Information Notice is intended to support early market engagement and assist the Health Board in understanding provider interest, capability and capacity to deliver the proposed service. It does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment by the Health Board to commence a formal procurement process.