Social work services with accommodation

Tender description

Northumberland County Council intend to create a mixed model framework 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 and young people aged 16/17 who are homeless and deemed to be children in need. The intention is to create a framework for single occupancy accommodation for young people at risk that consists of two providers providing a minimum (or core offer) of 10 hours per week floating support that may be supplemented with additional floating support depending on need. This will be supported by a further framework to provide additional single occupancy capacity, group accommodation, floating support and access to supported lodgings. The council wishes to establish a framework consisting of two providers that offer access to two properties which are supported by a guaranteed minimum of 10 hours of floating support per week for each package of care (Please note that although support hours may be required at any time it is likely that need will be weighted towards evening and weekends.). The Council will purchase access to one property and the associate. Where demand for services exceeds the provision supplied via lot 1 the Council wishes to establish a framework to enable access to accommodation with an appropriate level of support. The aim is to create the maximum amount of flexibility in order to manage supply and demand. Group accommodation is required in all areas of Northumberland County for young people aged 16-25. It 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. Floating support may be purchased at an hourly rate to supplement the provision of accommodation within lot 4 or support eligible young people residing in property owned or rented by either themselves or the council. 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. This service is required in all areas of Northumberland. It 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. Support and guidance can cover a huge range of areas, from helping young people develop life skills, through to simply allowing them to experience the ups and downs of living in a family group. All support and guidance should have the focus on enabling the young person to gain the skills necessary to live independently. Support may be required on either a long term basis e.g. for care leavers or a short term basis to provide support to young people in crisis by providing emergency accommodation for those at immediate risk of homelessness.