Best Interest Assessors and Section 12 Assessors DPS
Framework Description
Bedford Borough Council's Best Interest Assessors and Section 12 Assessors DPS is a pseudo-DPS for professionals carrying out assessments for adults under the Mental Capacity Act's Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). It runs for an initial three years to 14 July 2027, with an option to extend by 12 months to 14 July 2028, in a single lot, and stays open to new applicants.
Context & Use Case
The council uses it to commission assessments on an ad hoc basis, as and when assessments are required. Each DoLS authorisation needs a best interests assessment and a mental health assessment, so the council draws on independent Best Interest Assessors and Section 12 approved doctors to meet its statutory deadlines.
Scope of Services
Best Interest Assessor assessments under DoLS Section 12 mental health assessments Assessment reports and recommendations Ad hoc work for adults in Bedford Borough
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Qualified Best Interest Assessors, typically social workers, nurses, occupational therapists or psychologists with BIA training, and Section 12 approved doctors. Independent practitioners and assessment agencies can apply to join while the DPS is open, up to 14 July 2027, or July 2028 if extended.
Buyer Benefits
The council must complete DoLS assessments within legal timescales, and backlogs carry legal and human risk. A pool of pre-approved assessors it can call on as needed adds capacity quickly, without employing extra staff or running a tender for each assessment.
Next Steps
Read the council's notice on Find a Tender (018490-2024) and the DPS application requirements. Prepare evidence of BIA qualification or Section 12 approval, professional registration, DBS checks, insurance and recent assessment experience. Apply soon, as the initial term ends on 14 July 2027.
How Athena Can Help
Getting onto this DPS is mostly about clear, complete evidence. Athena's pseudo-DPS application support checks your qualifications, policies and insurance against the requirements and completes the application with you.
Our advice for independent practitioners covers whether to apply and how to price assessments, and our ad hoc bid help is available when you respond to individual requests, so each response is clear, compliant and competitively priced. If the DPS is extended or replaced, we help you plan for that too.
