Social work and related services

Tender description

Portsmouth City Council has awarded a contract for the provision of a Domestic violence abuse refuge and Outreach service within Portsmouth. The Authority will make available 3 properties with the capacity for 17 units for the Refuge provision however bidders are able to use of their own properties if they consider these as being more suitable. The contract will commence on 1.4.2018 and will be let for a 3 year period and may be extended for a further 2 years at the option of the Council in increments to be agreed. The principle aims for the Integrated domestic abuse refuge and Outreach service is to: — improve safety and reduce risk to those affected by DVA. — improve the access to services and referral pathways for those requiring advice, guidance and support relating to DVA. — improve outcomes for male and female victims and their children affected by DVA. These aims reflect the national priorities around the key strategic vision. The core elements of this service for Portsmouth will consist of: 1. A single point of contact, including out of hours 2. Community based outreach services 3. Refuge provision 4. Group and 1 - 1 support The provider will adopt a flexible and innovative approach to providing evidenced based services with intent to adopting best practice, continuous improvement of services and seeking improved outcomes for Service users. — Outreach services. It is expected that this outreach service will work with medium risk clients and the Independent domestic violence advocacy (IDVA) service will work with high risk clients. The IDVA service is delivered by Portsmouth City Council and is not a part of this contract. An initial DASH risk assessment, assessment of need and associated safety plan should be completed as soon as is appropriate and generally within 4 working days. Support should not exceed 9 months; however, this is flexible and according to individual need. The service will build and maintain a good portfolio of contacts that offer other relevant services, including supporting other agencies to strengthen their offer of support to DVA clients. The eligibility criteria will remain flexible and open to change according to local need or policy change. — Refuge Provision. The refuge is for women and any dependent children who are fleeing or who are at risk of DVA from Portsmouth and elsewhere in the country. The Authority will make available 3 properties with the capacity for 17 units. These properties are broken down into 1 x 8 bedroom property, 1 x 5 bedroom property and 1 x 4 bedroom property. The 2 larger premises have office space included. If those appointed wish to propose their own properties which they consider being more suitable then they are able to do so. Staff working within refuges have a dual role to play both in terms of providing a safe and supportive environment and ensuring that: — Clients are accessing all relevant benefits. — Clients are supported in applying for Housing benefit or the Housing element of universal credit from application to claims being processed and put in payment. — Understanding clients financial situations and providing basic advice in money and debt management. — Where necessary aiding in the development of basic life skills and those specific to managing tenancies and households. A DASH risk assessment should be completed as soon as is appropriate and generally within 48 hours. Stays in refuge should not exceed 6 months; however, this is flexible and according to individual need. — Group and one to one support. Some group provision is delivered by staff from Portsmouth City Council and its partners. These will continue (but can change) and currently include: — Butterfly (adult group). — Rock pool (adult and children group). — Who's in charge (adult group). Those appointed will offer additional group work to increase resource to meet need. This should not be exclusively limited to outreach and refuge clients and their children. One to one support should be offered to those who are not suitable for group work due to complex needs and other more chaotic lifestyles. Access to group and 1-1 provision is available to any Portsmouth resident regardless of their level of risk and not exclusively for clients supported by refuge, outreach or an IDVA.