Opportunity overview
Environment Audit of Low and Medium-Secure Forensic Mental Health Services within the sites of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (Thames Valley and Wessex, Adult Secure Neurodiverse Environmental Audits). As part of alignment with new national standards, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is looking to commission a structured neurodiversity-informed environmental audit. We seek to identify any gaps and priorities for improvement. This may inform new environment recommendations including day to day operation of environments and estate adjustments with an aim to improve experience for our service users. People accessing low- and medium-secure forensic mental health services frequently experience heightened sensory sensitivities and require reasonable adjustments to understand the environment around them (i.e. appropriate signage). This is particularly relevant for individuals who are neurodivergent, including those with autism and / or learning disabilities. The design, layout, and day to day operation of ward environments can significantly influence distress levels, behaviour, engagement in care, and overall outcomes. A poorly adapted environment may exacerbate agitation, anxiety, aggression, withdrawal or seclusion incidents, whilst a well adapted environment can promote feelings of safety, regulation and recovery. Oxford Health is working to improve the experience of people with learning disabilities and / or autism accessing its mental health services and seeks to commission a structured external audit of a specified number of wards across its sites to ensure the environment is neurodiverse-informed and to identify gaps and priorities for improvement.
Classification
- CPV45262640 — Environmental improvement works
- CPV71313200 — Sound insulation and room acoustics consultancy services
- CPV90711500 — Environmental monitoring other than for construction
- CPV90713000 — Environmental issues consultancy services
Lots
- Lot 1£80k
Documents and notices
- Tender notice on Find a TenderOpen source ↗
- The audit will cover: Low and medium secure forensic mental health wards, including: Male and female wards Mixed diagnostic groups Long term and acute forensic settings All internal ward areas, including but not limited to: Bedrooms Corridors Communal lounges and dining areas Quiet rooms and sensory rooms (where present) Seclusion suites Clinical and interview rooms Outdoor spaces attached to wards The audit will consider both physical environmental factors and operational practices relating to the environment that influence the neurodiverse experience. The audit provider will assess the environment across the following sensory domains: Visual (lighting, colour, glare, signage, visual clutter, windows, mirrors) Auditory (noise levels, alarms, echoes, staff activity, key sounds) Olfactory (smells, cleaning products, food preparation) Tactile (textures, furniture, bedding, surfaces) Thermal and airflow (temperature, ventilation) Spatial and movement etcOpen source ↗