Social work and related services

Tender description

The London Borough of Havering is proposing to let an interim contract for the period ending 31.8.2018, to include: An accommodation based service: Refuges enable women, with or without children, to escape abusive and/or violent situations or situations in which they are in fear of violence and to develop and maintain independent living opportunities and skills that will equip them to move on safely to independent living. A Floating support service: required for men and women, living across the borough in any type of tenure, including people moving on from the refuge provision. The service would support men and women, with or without children, to escape abusive/violent situations or to live safely in their existing environment. Largely it is not expected that individuals will need access to floating support for prolonged periods but it is recognised that some planned support in the first few weeks may be beneficial for addressing issues such as maintaining a tenancy. Reporting of Violence against Women has increased nationally, regionally and locally during the previous 3 years. In Havering there were 6 210 incidents reported to the police in 2014-15, representing a rise of 42 % (from 4 383) compared to 2012-13. For the local authority, Domestic Abuse has become the main contact reason for all contacts made to children and social service and multi-agency safeguarding hub enquiries. It is estimated that 9 780 Havering residents aged 16-59 suffered any form of domestic abuse in the previous 12-months, contributing to an estimated socio-economic cost of 53 600 000 GBP to services nationally.