Skip to main content

We've saved some files called cookies on your device. These cookies are:

  • essential for the site to work
  • to help improve our website by collecting and reporting information on how you use it

We would also like to save some cookies to help tailor communications.

BETA
You're viewing an updated version of this service - your feedback will help us to improve it.

UK2

Prison Democratic Therapeutic Communities – Integrated Quality Audit Processes

  • First published: 17 June 2025
  • Last modified: 17 June 2025
  • This file may not be fully accessible.

  •  

The buyer is not using this website to administer the notice.

To record your interest or obtain additional information or documents please find instructions within the Full Notice Text. (NOTE: Contract Award Notices and Prior Information Notices do not normally require a response)

You are viewing an expired notice.

Contents

Summary

OCID:
ocds-h6vhtk-0519d6
Published by:
Ministry of Justice
Authority ID:
AA25231
Publication date:
17 June 2025
Deadline date:
30 June 2025
Notice type:
UK2
Has documents:
No
Has SPD:
No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:
N/A

Abstract

Democratic Therapeutic Communities (DTCs) in His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) including Therapeutic Communities Plus (TC+) for offenders with Learning Disabilities (LD) are a recognised offending behaviour programme designed with the aim of reducing reoffending, some having been in existence within the prison system for more than 50 years. They form part of the National Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway, jointly commissioned between HMPPS and NHS England, offering a pathway of interventions for male and female offenders with complex needs. There are currently 14 DTCs operating in the Prison Service; 11 of these delivering the DTC core model within five establishments; and three delivering the TC+ model. DTCs in prisons aim to reduce re-offending through challenging offence-related risk factors. They address the interpersonal problems, attitudes, thinking and emotions of offenders and aim to engage in treatment those who also have additional emotional and psychological needs. DTCs can provide intervention for offenders with impaired psychological functioning and seek to engage offenders who may not be suitable to undertake other accredited Offending Behaviour Programmes. They are an intensive intervention - prisoners will be expected to remain in therapy for at least 18 months and more likely for two years. Therefore, places in DTCs are normally reserved for offenders serving longer sentences, who have a higher likelihood of re-offending, or who are judged to present a high risk of harm to others. DTCs have a strong evidence base underpinning their theoretical model of change that should be delivered in accordance with a set of manuals which have been accredited by the Correctional Services Accreditation Panel (CSAAP). The prison DTCs participate in a mandatory integrated standards-based process of quality assurance processes. These processes require continued development to ensure an effective and appropriate means of measuring the therapeutic environment and the quality of the therapy delivered.The MoJ requires a Supplier to design, develop, deliver and review an integrated standards-based audit and quality improvement process for all DTCs in HMPPS including TC+.The service is to be delivered incorporating a full clinical audit, using specialist auditors, within each cycle that measures each DTC’s compliance with the detailed and accredited operating models for reducing reoffending. This review process will provide a measure of the quality of the intervention as a DTC and its clinical integrity; additionally, it will provide an assessment of clinical performance and report to the Correctional Services Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP) in line with accreditation requirements. The Supplier must also be able to provide avenues for shared learning for all HMPPS DTCs, support their overall development, provide workforce development opportunities for training and improvements in the clinical skills and knowledge of DTC staff and facilitate access to relevant knowledge and learning opportunities. Critically, the clinical evaluation and quality improvement processes will need to be delivered through a methodology that is in keeping with the philosophy and values of the DTC model and will support the specific therapeutic and clinical requirements of its operationIf you are interested this opportunity and would like to see the full specification, please email us at MoJProcurement.Off@justice.gov.uk

Full notice text

Changes to notice

Description

Amended contact name and email address

Scope

Procurement description

Democratic Therapeutic Communities (DTCs) in His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) including Therapeutic Communities Plus (TC+) for offenders with Learning Disabilities (LD) are a recognised offending behaviour programme designed with the aim of reducing reoffending, some having been in existence within the prison system for more than 50 years. They form part of the National Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway, jointly commissioned between HMPPS and NHS England, offering a pathway of interventions for male and female offenders with complex needs.

There are currently 14 DTCs operating in the Prison Service; 11 of these delivering the DTC core model within five establishments; and three delivering the TC+ model.

DTCs in prisons aim to reduce re-offending through challenging offence-related risk factors. They address the interpersonal problems, attitudes, thinking and emotions of offenders and aim to engage in treatment those who also have additional emotional and psychological needs.

DTCs can provide intervention for offenders with impaired psychological functioning and seek to engage offenders who may not be suitable to undertake other accredited Offending Behaviour Programmes. They are an intensive intervention - prisoners will be expected to remain in therapy for at least 18 months and more likely for two years. Therefore, places in DTCs are normally reserved for offenders serving longer sentences, who have a higher likelihood of re-offending, or who are judged to present a high risk of harm to others.

DTCs have a strong evidence base underpinning their theoretical model of change that should be delivered in accordance with a set of manuals which have been accredited by the Correctional Services Accreditation Panel (CSAAP).

The prison DTCs participate in a mandatory integrated standards-based process of quality assurance processes. These processes require continued development to ensure an effective and appropriate means of measuring the therapeutic environment and the quality of the therapy delivered.

The MoJ requires a Supplier to design, develop, deliver and review an integrated standards-based audit and quality improvement process for all DTCs in HMPPS including TC+.

The service is to be delivered incorporating a full clinical audit, using specialist auditors, within each cycle that measures each DTC’s compliance with the detailed and accredited operating models for reducing reoffending. This review process will provide a measure of the quality of the intervention as a DTC and its clinical integrity; additionally, it will provide an assessment of clinical performance and report to the Correctional Services Accreditation and Advice Panel (CSAAP) in line with accreditation requirements.

The Supplier must also be able to provide avenues for shared learning for all HMPPS DTCs, support their overall development, provide workforce development opportunities for training and improvements in the clinical skills and knowledge of DTC staff and facilitate access to relevant knowledge and learning opportunities.

Critically, the clinical evaluation and quality improvement processes will need to be delivered through a methodology that is in keeping with the philosophy and values of the DTC model and will support the specific therapeutic and clinical requirements of its operation

If you are interested this opportunity and would like to see the full specification, please email us at MoJProcurement.Off@justice.gov.uk

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

  • UK - United Kingdom

Total value (estimated)

300000 GBP Excluding VAT

360000 GBP Including VAT

Contract dates (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM to 31 March 2032, 23:59PM

Contracting authority

Ministry of Justice

Identification register:

  • GB-PPON

Address 1: 102 Petty France

Town/City: London

Postcode: SW1H 9AJ

Country: United Kingdom

Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/procurement

Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDNN-2773-HVYN

NUTS code: UKI32

Contact name: Sarah Young

Email: MoJProcurement.Off@justice.gov.uk

Organisation type: Public authority - central government

Procedure

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Lots

Divided into 1 lots

Lot number: 1

CPV classifications

  • 79212000 - Auditing services
  • 85121270 - Psychiatrist or psychologist services
  • 80430000 - Adult-education services at university level

Delivery regions

  • UK - United Kingdom

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 April 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 March 2032, 23:59PM

Engagement

Engagement process description

We are inviting suppliers to register their interest with this opportunity by emailing MoJProcurement.Off@justice.gov.uk.

We will share the specification with you and arrange a 1-1 virtual meeting

This is at pre-procurement stage where we are looking to work with the market to understand capability and appetite for the future tender that aims to be live later this year.

Due date

30 June 2025, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

07 July 2025

Coding

Commodity categories

ID Title Parent category
80430000 Adult-education services at university level Adult and other education services
79212000 Auditing services Accounting and auditing services
85121270 Psychiatrist or psychologist services Medical practice services

Delivery locations

ID Description
100 UK - All

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:
N/a
Admin contact:
N/a
Technical contact:
N/a
Other contact:
N/a

Further information

Date Details
No further information has been uploaded.

0800 222 9004

Lines are open 8:30am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Rydym yn croesawu galwadau'n Gymraeg.

We welcome calls in Welsh.