£50,000 to Start Smiling Again

The request was refused by Department for Work and Pensions.

Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

South West Wales - Stress Management Programme - Supplier's name Start Smiling Again
Value of contract (£) £50,000 https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov....

Please disclose the information Jobcentre staff have access to when they refer people to this provision and a copy of the information that is provided to customers when they are considering or have accepted a referral.

I would also like to know why the contract and tender documents only got published on 30/7/15, whereas the notice was published on 13 April 2015?

In response to FOI 3153 you said:

"We can confirm that the Stress Management Programme provision did not contain requirements for the use of therapy"
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/2...

Please disclose why the supplier is therefore able to deliver "Therapy" even though it is outside the scope of your contract specifications documents but included in the winning contract awarded to Start Smiling Again? To quote:

"The 8 group sessions will follow the stress and anxiety model of Blueprint Therapy and Coaching" - Tender - Stress Management - Stress Management Programme - Tender - Start Smiling Again - Redacted.pdf - Attachments added 30.07.2015.
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov....

Do disclose information the DWP holds that explains what 'Blueprint Therapy and Coaching' is, on it's evidence based effectiveness and how it has been evaluated prior to the contract being awarded and plans to independently evaluate it?

I would also like a copy of the tender submissions for this contract by ACT Enhance Ltd and Swansea Music Art Dance CIC https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/2... if you decide not to disclose the submissions, please confirm that you contacted ACT Enhance Ltd and Swansea Music Art Dance CIC to seek views on whether they objected to disclosure.

Can you also provide any information on whether any of your "29 Registered Psychologists and 7 Senior Work Psychologist Managers" https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/2...
have assessed the "appropriateness of approaches" outlined in this contract, noting:

"Psychologists advise DWP on the evidence-base and appropriateness of approaches for claimants"
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/2...

Yours faithfully,

Frank Zola

DWP freedom-of-information-requests, Department for Work and Pensions

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CD Official Correspondence, Department for Work and Pensions

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Zola,

 

Please see the attached letter.

 

 

Official Correspondence Team

People, Communication and Capability | Please consider the environment
before printing.

 

 

 

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