Health and social work services

Tender description

The current contracted service is expiring 31 March 2021 and is formed of two Lots: Lot 1 The prevention and early intervention service provides a co-ordinated community and voluntary sector response that focuses on prevention and early intervention. Lot 2 Refuge services — this lot provides for a minimum of 10 refuge spaces. The refuge service also includes support to individuals and families in the refuge and resettlement as well as developing volunteer and peer support. Southampton City Council is currently unable to develop a long term service specification. Southampton City Council has two contracts in place which are due to expire on 31 March 2021. The Council is awaiting a decision from central government regarding a new domestic abuse bill which has been delayed progressing through parliament due to Covid-19. Until the Council is aware of the potential changes to this service it is unable to progress developing a service specification for too long a contract period as there is potential for requirements to change materially and it is therefore difficult to allocate risk efficiently and provide for uncertainties for a longer contracted service. The way in which Public Health is funded from central government is changing in England, part of the funding for this service comes from the Public Health budget. Budget planning for a new contracted service is prohibitive until the decision is made on funding structures. These key elements are significant when planning a new tender and ultimately awarding a contract. The current contracts for this service are ending on 31 March 2021. The Council is intending on awarding a 1-year contract to the incumbents for each lot, this time will allow the decision making processes to occur and it will also allow the time for developing a service specification aligned to new Government Policies. Southampton City Council has two contracts in place which are due to expire on 31 March 2021. The Council is awaiting a decision from central government regarding a new domestic abuse bill which has been delayed progressing through parliament due to Covid-19. Until the Council is aware of the potential changes to this service it is unable to progress developing a service specification for too long a contract period as there is potential for requirements to change materially and it is therefore difficult to allocate risk efficiently and provide for uncertainties for a longer contracted service. The way in which Public Health is funded from central government is changing in England, part of the funding for this service comes from the Public Health budget. Budget planning for a new contracted service is prohibitive until the decision is made on funding structures. These key elements are significant when planning a new tender and ultimately awarding a contract. The current contracts for this service are ending on 31 March 2021. The Council is intending on awarding a 1-year contract to the incumbents for each lot, this time will allow the decision making processes to occur and it will also allow the time for developing a service specification aligned to new Government Policies.