Harm Reduction Services

The provision of harm reduction advice and diversionary activities for those living in temporary accommodation settings across East Sussex focusing on Hastings and Eastbourne. This will include the provision of harm reduction training to staff working in temporary accommodation settings.

This is a specialist service, requiring a local hub and the necessary infrastructure to deliver the service. The Council's market knowledge in this category is strong, resulting from a number of recent competitive procurements undertaken for a range of substance misuse support services. It is clear that there are no other local providers with the necessary knowledge, experience and premises in-county who could undertake the work. The Service Provider has been conducting the same work in Hastings since November 2020, meaning that the benefit of this would be lost if another provider were to be contracted at this point. In addition, there is a need to have existing contacts and networks in place for continued successful delivery. Due to uncertainties with funding it was not possible to offer this contract on a longer term when a waiver was previously granted.