Social work services without accommodation

Tender description

North Lanarkshire Council (the Council) wishes to enter into a Home’s First Flexible Support Service. The Council wishes to commission a partner provider with operational experience in delivering housing support services to households who have complex and multiple needs, who have been assessed by the Council as being vulnerable and at most risk from being or becoming homeless. The Councils Rapid Rehousing Plan states that ‘Housing First’ provides ordinary, settled housing as a first response for people with complex needs. This approach recognises a safe and secure home with open ended flexible support is the best base for recovery, including ending homelessness by offering choice and control. Housing First goes beyond traditional forms of supported accommodation and includes intensive wrap around support as appropriate which would be coordinated and delivered by the partner provider. The intensive support may include: — one to one service, — links, access and coordination of all support service user identifies as required for recovery, — arranging, accompanying and following up on meetings and appointments in support of needs, — regular support arrangements up to 24/7 if required. The list is not exhaustive as the scope and duration of the support provision will be determined by the needs of the service user with a goal of declining supports and transitioning into mainstream services where possible. As the design of the service will be to fit to that individuals support needs the market may not be able to fulfil the Council’s requirements as a sole provider. It is expected that they will rely on other services and should work together to form bids. The successful partner provider, along with other services within the bid, will set-up, operate, and manage a service that will, ‘seek to prevent homelessness occurring, prevent rough sleeping, minimise the effect of homelessness on individuals and their families (Service Users) and promote tenancy sustainment within the North Lanarkshire Council area’. This will increase and ensure collaboration with wider services such as Housing, Health and Social Care to achieve the best possible outcome for the service user. The Council are seeking a partner with skills, expertise and ideas to work with us in a service. The partner will come together with other entities to plan, deliver and pilot transformation of services and support for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness in North Lanarkshire. We will work as one, sharing decisions and collective responsibility to achieve our common goal: ‘Work in collaboration to provide early interventions which prevent homelessness and ensure settled accommodation is made available as quickly as possible if homelessness occurs.’ This is an ambitious approach which will require commitment and determination to achieve positive outcomes for people with complex and multiple needs who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This service is a pilot for 2 years to enable us to test and evaluate this model and approach with the option to extend depending on a third year of government funding. The successful tenderer will be required to be PVG registered, have Care Inspectorate Registration and have staff registered with SSSC. Further information is provided within the specification.