New children’s mental health service moves a step closer
A decision on awarding a new contract for child and adolescent health services in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin will be made behind closed doors, it has been confirmed.
The CAMHS service in Shropshire was reviewed to “ensure that it is up to date, effective, efficient, and better meet the “evolving needs of our local population”.
The current contract, called BeeU and managed by the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is due to end on March 31, 2026.
A recent meeting in Telford was told that the mental health of children is a ‘significant cause for concern’, following the impact of the covid pandemic, the cost of living and and worries about the impact of climate change.
A spokesperson for contractors at NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, said: “The procurement process is progressing as planned.
“Following the evaluation process which took place in August 2025, the outcomes will now go through NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin’s governance arrangements during September 2025.
“Approval to award the contract to the successful provider will be made in a closed board meeting,” the spokesperson said.
The next NHS STW board meeting is scheduled to be held in Wellington on September 24 with the next one in November.
After the contract is awarded there will then be a mandatory “standstill period” during which the NHS say it cannot comment even on the level of interest due to legal constraints.
But the spokesperson added: “What we can confirm is that the commissioning of the new service is intended to strengthen and improve CAMHS provision across the system.
“The focus will be on enhancing access, improving patient experience, and ensuring services are responsive to the needs of children, young people and families across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.”
Documents shared by the NHS say 15 potential provider organisations attended a market engagement event, which included 13 private sector/charitable sector organisations, and two NHS Mental Health Trusts.
The current CAMHS Service supports children and young people up to 25 with emotional wellbeing and mental health.
The update was given to the Local Democracy Reporting Service after a mother complained to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman about the way she and her child were treated by BeeU.
The Ombudsman’s decision found no wrongdoing on behalf of Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust and was published recently.
A spokesperson for Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust said: “We note the decision of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, which found no wrongdoing on the Trust’s part regarding this matter.
“We acknowledge that this will have been a difficult experience for the family and regret they have felt let down by the service.
“As part of our commitment to delivering the best possible service for the communities we serve, we remain committed to reflecting on all feedback received and are grateful to the family concerned for sharing theirs.”
