Increase in Contracts for ADHD and Autism Assessment Services

With an estimated 1.2 million people with autism and 2.2 million with ADHD in the UK according to a Nuffield Trust report, demand for ADHD and autism assessment services is exceptionally high. Gaining an assessment and formal diagnosis is often an essential criterion for getting treatment, and skyrocketing waiting lists have contributed to untreated patients.

We explain the reason behind increased wait times, how this has resulted in increased ADHD and autism assessment contracts and common topics we have observed in tender questions.

ADHD and autism assessment waiting lists

Since 2019 there has been a 400% increase in people awaiting assessment from an autism specialist. The average wait time has also increased, with 79% of patients waiting over 13 weeks without an appointment being recorded, up from 44% in December 2019.

The impact of lengthy waiting lists is particularly outsized for children and young people, with an additional report demonstrating failure to provide support can lead to long-term poor outcomes, including increased risk of poor mental health and exclusion from education.

The pressure on NHS centres and integrated care boards to provide swifter assessments and clear the backlog has resulted in services being contracted out through a competitive tender process.

The benefits of the tender process to ADHD and autism assessments

Given the pressure around existing and future referrals lists, authorities using the tender process introduces efficiencies and allows buyers to select the provider which will present the best value for money solution to their requirements. Specific benefits to leveraging the process include:

• Quicker assessments and reduced waiting lists allowing authorities to clear the backlog whilst ensuring patients and referrals are given the time and specialist resource to receive assessment
• Minimising ‘postcode lottery’ effects and hidden waiting lists by encouraging prospective bidders to tender in underserved areas – increasing geographic equity and reducing the variation in wait lengths across regions of the country
• Encouraging innovative, cost-effective models for provision of assessments, such as digital triage (with appropriate evidence), remote assessments if appropriate and ‘stepped-care’ models – delivering cost-effective pathways to deliver value for money and faster access.

Typical tender questions in ADHD and autism assessment tenders

As part of the evaluation criteria, each tender will have a set of quality questions or method statements for bidders to respond to, outlining how they will deliver the service. Based on our experience supporting clients with ADHD and autism assessment tenders, quality questions are likely to cover:

• Referrals management and effective triaging: Many ADHD and autism assessment tenders require bidders to provide details of the ‘referrals pathway’ and triage process for new patients. A high-quality response will identify inclusion and/or exclusion criteria, how you determine whether referrals are clinically appropriate and measures for communicating with patients along the ‘patient journey’ – including providing communication in alternative format, such as Easy Read or other languages.
• Workforce and staffing: Authorities will be keen to understand the resource you have in place to deliver against the requirements of the specification, including ensuring these are suitably qualified and experienced. Your staffing model should also demonstrate sufficient capacity to deliver against the number of assessments alongside obligations for other contracts.
• Quality in service provision: A quality service is a central tenet of any competitive tender submission. In demonstrating quality for this specific service, you may choose to highlight particular methods and diagnostic tools for delivering assessments, as well as how you will ensure compliance with NICE guidelines and other relevant legislation.
• Social value: With the majority of ADHD and autism assessment opportunities issued by the NHS, social value is likely to be a mandatory component of your tender submission. Commitments may be aligned with the Model Award Criteria included in PPN 002, the updated Social Value Model issued under the Procurement Act 2023.

The above illustrates just a few examples of what could be included as part of the quality element of the submission.

Support with ADHD and autism assessment tenders

Our bid services can be tailored to each ADHD and autism assessment tender you submit, including:

• Bid and tender writing support, where one of Executive Compass’s expert tender writers complete the scored quality questions or method statements on your behalf
• Bid review services, with a senior member of the team (likely a quality reviewer or bid manager)
• Pre-bid consultancy and ‘capture planning’ supporting you to prepare in advance of a business-critical submission.

To discuss any of the above and how we can best support you, book a free 30-minute consultation today at info@executivecompass.co.uk or 0800 612 5563.