Social work and related services

Tender description

Newham Council is in its early stages of re-modelling Supported living services in Newham; we seek to explore alternative models of delivery and move to a “core and flex” model of contracting. Initial Expressions of Interest, for Care and Support Services in Supported Living services, are being sought as part of the procurement exercise. As part of this process, we would like interested organisations to complete a short questionnaire in order to gauge market interest and to obtain information on successful operating models to inform the design of the service. A market engagement day may also be established at a later point. Newham currently has a number of schemes operating across the borough, with a total number of placements made (in and out of borough) for Mental health and learning disability supported living of around 500. Newham Council is also looking to include Supported Living for children and young people into the scope of this procurement exercise. There are currently 181 looked after children and care leavers age 16 and over placed in supported accommodation with 34 providers. Placements are in Newham, London and across the United Kingdom with some young people being placed at distance from Newham for safeguarding reasons. Some of the support is on site and some is floating support. The children and young people may be moving from residential or fostering placements, may be mothers and babies. A small number are looked after as a result of being released from youth detention accommodation. Our most vulnerable young people have complex safeguarding needs including going missing, Child Sexual Exploitation, ‘County lines’ and criminal exploitation including Gang association / affiliation. Young people experience of significant harm beyond their families through relationships formed in their neighbourhoods, schools and online. This ‘contextual safeguarding’ can feature violence and abuse. We want to work with organisations who are able to assess and intervene to keep our young people safe. The council are proposing to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to enable contracts to be called-off through mini-competitions when required. The DPS will allow eligible providers to bid for lots offered via the DPS as and when they choose. There will be no limits to the number of lots. As an example, a lot could be offered against a single scheme where eligible providers would bid to provide care and support services alternatively the council may seek the tenderer to provide both the building and the care and support service. Newham Council is inviting expressions of interest in relation to the upcoming procurement for Care and Support Services in Supported Living services for Adults and CYP. As part of this process, we are seeking interested organisations to complete a short questionnaire in order to gauge market interest and to assist with developing a model that is a best fit in Newham. A market engagement day may also be held. This information will help to inform the design of the service, tender documents and process.