Health and social work services

Tender description

Northumberland County Council are advertising to seek tenders from suitably experienced and qualified organisations with the intention of creating a mixed model contract in order to develop housing and support services for vulnerable young people aged 16 – 25. Whilst the overall aim is to prevent youth homelessness and a planned pathway to independent living, there is a specific focus on 16-21 year old care leavers. Providers should be working towards developing or sustaining a young person’s capacity to live independently within the community and avoid unnecessary use of more intensive forms of care and support. This procurement is under the Light Touch Regime of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The award will be based on 60 % quality criterion and 40 % price criterion under each Lot as specified within the tender documentation. This Lot will provide those ready to leave care settings or those at risk with a safe and supported environment and the opportunity to develop necessary skills for a successful and independent life. Supported Lodgings will provide young people with a room in a home environment and the support and guidance of an adult or adults living there. This Lot will provide accommodation and support for Young People who are at significant risk or who are homeless and will consist of individual rooms/flats with shared communal kitchen, bathroom and living room in an accommodation block, which must be fully furnished and well-appointed with a schedule of maintenance to ensure the quality of accommodation. The service will provide intensive support to prepare the Young Person for independent living and to access education and training. Single occupancy accommodation is required for young people at risk in all areas of Northumberland. The council wish to establish a single supplier framework that offers: — access to 1 “property” that is supported by a high level of floating support, — access to 3 “properties” which are supported by a low level floating support. When describing access to properties the Council wish to purchase access to 365 nights per year per property however the nights do not need to run concurrently nor does the service need to be delivered within the same fixed properties. The aim is to create the maximum amount of flexibility in order to manage supply and demand. This Lot under framework will enable access to accommodation with an appropriate level of support. The support provided to eligible young people will be dependent upon individual needs. Floating Support workers will help young people to understand what it means to live independently and support them in achieving this. This may include support with housing issues, help with budgeting, education and training, debt advice, health advice and other areas as needed. Each young person is an individual and will have their own plan of action agreed with their worker. When specialist support is required the worker will link the young person into the relevant agencies locally.