Contract for the provision of Supported Accommodation Pathways for People with Complex Needs (Lotted)

Durham County Council (DCC) is inviting tenders from experienced service providers capable of delivering high-quality supported accommodation services for complex adults. Service users will be 18 years of age or over, with complex needs. The opportunity is divided into 3 LOTs which are detailed in section 2.2 of this document.

All accommodation will provide 24-hour support to those who have needs that cannot be met in main stream accommodation (except for LOT 1. See section, 2.2 LOT information).

The service will act as a pathway for move on into sustainable longer-term accommodation reducing the occurrence of repeat homelessness while working to engage the individual in support services to meet their individual needs.

The successful provider(s) will be expected to work collaboratively with DCC and other stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for all service users.

Whilst interventions can occur early to prevent homelessness, where a crisis has occurred, the support services will deliver accommodation-based services delivering a range of multi-faceted interventions.

The Service will be person centred, designed around needs and personal outcomes and may comprise of a combination of direct or shared support.

Core and Cluster model supported accommodation for women only, providing women with complex needs which may include past trauma, mental health, autism, substance abuse, with self-contained supported accommodation, support should be available 24-hours. The accommodation will consist of a core premises which may also have accommodation and communal areas and a cluster of dispersed accommodation, allowing for a balance of independence and support, centrally located within County Durham. Providers should have a range of support options available to provide a pathway for individuals needing support to step up or down dependant on needs.

The service must be designed to promote recovery, independence, and empowerment within a safe and supportive environment. The key service requirements are as follows:

The Provider must deliver support in a way that is trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and culturally sensitive. The service must recognise and respect the lived experiences of women with multiple disadvantages, including experiences of abuse, trauma, and discrimination.

This client group require a safe and empowering environment that fosters trust, emotional security, dignity, and a sense of belonging.

The provider must have in place robust procedures for identifying, assessing, and managing individual and shared risks relevant to the client group, including safeguarding concerns.

The service should balance safety with the promotion of positive risk-taking to support autonomy and recovery.