Community mental health services are the backbone of how the UK supports people with ongoing mental health conditions. They’re the teams and programmes that keep people stable, connected, and out of hospital. And in 2026, they’re going through one of the biggest transformations in a generation.

Whether you’re someone trying to understand what community mental health support looks like, a family member trying to navigate the system for a loved one, or a care provider looking at the growing number of contracts in this space, this guide will walk you through what’s happening, what’s changing, and what it all means.

If you’re a provider already thinking about how to position yourself for these contracts, our guide on tender writing in 2026 and how to align evidence, quality, and scoring will help you build a response that actually wins.

What Are Community Mental Health Services?

In simple terms, community mental health services are the support systems that exist outside of hospitals. They’re designed to help people manage their mental health in their own homes and communities, rather than relying on inpatient wards or A&E departments when things get difficult.

These services cover a wide range of needs, from people experiencing their first episode of psychosis to those who have lived with conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or complex PTSD for decades. The goal is always the same: help people live as independently and as well as possible, close to the people and places they know.

Community Mental Health Teams

At the centre of this system are Community Mental Health Teams, or CMHTs. These are multidisciplinary groups made up of psychiatrists, community psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, psychologists, and support workers. They provide assessment, treatment, and ongoing care coordination for people with moderate to severe mental health conditions.

In most areas, you’re referred to a CMHT through your GP, although some areas now accept self-referrals for certain pathways. Once you’re under the care of a CMHT, you’ll typically have a care coordinator who acts as your main point of contact and helps join up the different parts of your support.

Early Intervention in Psychosis Teams

These are specialist teams that work with people, usually aged 14 to 65, who are experiencing psychosis for the first time. Early intervention is one of the most evidence-backed approaches in mental health, and in 2026, these teams are being expanded across the country as part of the NHS Long Term Plan commitments. Getting the right support early can make a huge difference to someone’s long-term recovery.

Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Teams

When someone is in a mental health crisis but doesn’t need to be admitted to hospital, crisis resolution and home treatment teams step in. They provide intensive, short-term support in the person’s own home, visiting daily or even multiple times a day until the crisis passes. These teams are a critical part of keeping people out of inpatient beds, and they’re one of the services that commissioners are investing in heavily right now.

Rehabilitation and Recovery Services

For people who have spent time in hospital or who need longer-term, structured support to rebuild their skills and confidence, rehabilitation and recovery services provide a step-down pathway back into community life. This might include supported housing with on-site mental health staff, life skills programmes, employment support, and gradual reintroduction to independent living.

How Community Mental Health Services Are Changing in 2026

If you’ve had contact with community mental health services before, you might notice things are starting to look and feel quite different. That’s because the whole model is being redesigned, and 2026 is the year a lot of those changes are landing in practice.

The Community Mental Health Framework

NHS England’s Community Mental Health Framework has been rolling out since 2019, but in 2026, it’s reached a tipping point. The old model, where you were either “in” secondary care or “out” and left to manage on your own with just your GP, is being replaced by something more flexible. The new approach creates integrated community teams that wrap around Primary Care Networks, meaning your mental health support is more closely linked to your GP practice and your local area.

This is a big deal because it means fewer people falling through the cracks. If you’ve ever been discharged from a CMHT and told you’re “not unwell enough” for their services but clearly still need support, this new model is designed to fix that gap.

Integration with Social Care and Voluntary Sector

One of the most significant shifts is the push to bring social care providers and voluntary organisations into community mental health teams as equal partners, not just add-ons. In 2026, tenders for community mental health services increasingly require providers to show how they’ll work alongside housing support, employment services, substance misuse teams, and peer support networks. The days of mental health being treated as a purely clinical issue are fading fast.

Digital and Remote Support

The pandemic changed how mental health support is delivered, and those changes have stuck. In 2026, community mental health services routinely offer a blend of face-to-face and digital support. Video consultations, mental health apps, online group therapy, and digital self-management tools are all part of the standard offer now. Commissioners expect providers to demonstrate digital maturity and to show how technology improves access for people who might not engage with traditional services.

What This Means If You’re Looking for Community Mental Health Support

If you’re trying to access community mental health services for yourself or someone you care about, here’s what you need to know in practical terms.

How to Get Referred

The most common route is through your GP. Tell them what you’re experiencing and ask about community mental health support. Depending on your area, they may refer you directly to a CMHT, to a specialist team, or to a local single point of access service that triages referrals. Some areas now also allow self-referral for certain community services, so it’s worth checking your local NHS trust’s website.

 What to Expect

Community mental health support usually starts with an assessment, either over the phone, by video, or in person. From there, you’ll be offered a care plan tailored to your needs. This might include regular appointments with a psychiatrist or psychologist, medication reviews, support from a community psychiatric nurse, occupational therapy, or referral to additional services like supported housing or employment programmes.

If You’re Not Getting the Help You Need

The reality is that services are stretched, and not everyone gets the support they need as quickly as they should. If you feel like you’re not being heard or you’ve been told there’s a long wait, don’t give up. Ask your GP to escalate your referral. Contact your local Healthwatch for independent advice. And if you’re in crisis, always call 111 or your local crisis line rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

For Providers: The Growing Opportunity in Community Mental Health Contracts

For care providers, community mental health is one of the fastest-growing commissioning areas in 2026. ICBs and local authorities are actively tendering for services that support the new community model, and they need providers who can deliver in partnership with the wider system.

Where the Contracts Are

The tenders we’re seeing most frequently include community crisis alternatives such as crisis cafes and safe havens, supported living for people with severe and enduring mental health needs, rehabilitation and recovery step-down services, peer support programmes, and social prescribing delivery. If your organisation has experience in any of these areas, the pipeline of opportunities is strong.

What Commissioners Want to See in Your Bids

Commissioners in 2026 are scoring community mental health tenders on your ability to integrate, not just deliver. They want to see that you can work within a multidisciplinary team, that you understand the local mental health landscape, and that your service model is recovery-focused and person-centred. They also want evidence. Recovery rates, move-on outcomes, crisis prevention data, and service user feedback are all essential components of a high-scoring bid.

Don’t Overlook Social Value

Social value carries serious weight in community mental health tenders. Commissioners want to know how your service will benefit the wider community, not just the individuals you directly support. That might mean employing people with lived experience of mental health conditions, partnering with local voluntary groups, or running community awareness programmes that reduce stigma.

This is the kind of integrated, community-rooted approach that we help our clients develop and articulate in their bids. As one provider shared, AssuredBID was very committed to the process and thorough in offering their services, with an impressive response time throughout. Read their story and others on our testimonials page.

To see how we helped a specialist social care provider win a tender by demonstrating deep expertise in supporting adults with complex needs in community settings, read the full case study here.

Community Mental Health Is Where the Future of Care Is Being Built

Whether you’re someone looking for mental health support in your local area or a provider looking to grow in this space, community mental health services are at the heart of how the UK is reshaping its approach to mental wellbeing. The investment is there. The contracts are there. And the need is certainly there.

For providers, the question isn’t whether to get involved in community mental health. It’s whether you’re positioned to win when the opportunity comes. If you’d like expert support in preparing your organisation and your bids for community mental health contracts, book a free consultation with our tender specialists.

Need support with tenders or compliance? AssuredBID helps UK social care providers prepare stronger bids and win the right opportunities. You can book a consultation with our tender experts, explore our services, and follow AssuredBID on social media for practical updates, insights, and guidance you can actually use.