BHCC EB Enhanced Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)

Tender description

The Council invites bidders to respond to this ITT for Enhanced Severe Weather Provision for Rough Sleepers (SWEP) for an initial period of 5 years, with an additional extension provision of up to two years. The Council is going through a period of remodelling and transformation of services for homeless people, and so is looking for service providers who will adopt a flexible approach and work closely with commissioners to deliver and evaluate new models of service delivery. The Council is looking to secure provision for short term accommodation for rough sleepers in periods of severe weather linked to a trigger as defined by the Council. This is referred to as Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, or SWEP. The Enhanced Severe Weather Emergency Protocol is being developed to further reduce the risks faced by rough sleepers in times of cold or severe weather. Following consultation with the public and stakeholders the trigger for opening SWEP provision is being reduced to 1 night at a predicted 'feels like' temperature of 0 degrees or below. This will deliver an increase in the number of nights that SWEP is open over the winter period from the previous trigger and is being developed in conjunction with increased winter provision for rough sleepers which includes a hub and winter night shelter spaces in 2018/19. Rough sleepers will have a range of multiple and complex needs including: mental health (diagnosed and undiagnosed), learning disability, alcohol/substance misuse, behavioural problems (resulting in anti-social behaviour), head injury, victim of domestic violence, victim of financial exploitation, physical health issues and a history of offending. The Provider will: o work with partners to ensure effective communication, co-ordination and collaboration to strengthen services provided to rough sleepers with multiple and complex needs; o deliver a service that is safe and adequately staffed; o deliver a service which represents good value for money for the Council; o use a personalised and psychologically informed approach to support provision. Full detail is provided in the Service Specification (Schedule 1).