Accommodation for People on Probation – West Midlands Accommodation Gap (WMAG)

Tender description

Accommodation services in the West Midlands region, across dispersed locations, suitable for people on probation (both in the community and prison leavers) who would otherwise be homeless. Accommodation to POP is fundamental to an individual’s rehabilitation and to lowering the risk of reoffending; decreasing the harm posed to the public. Accommodation provision provides security and stability which, in turn, allows POP to seek work more effectively which consequently decreases the likelihood of offending. It is also a core government ambition to eradicate homelessness by 2024; an ambition which has statutory footing in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 which places duties on local authorities to address homelessness. This contract will place a key role in meeting these aims and ambitions. POP who are deemed high risk are to be prioritised. We are seeking at least 50% of bed spaces to be single units. Other accommodation can include up to four-bed houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs). The Authority’s ambition is to convert at least 35% of accommodation arrangements into assured short hold tenancy agreements. People on probation should be supported for up to 56 nights or, in the alternative, receive assistance in their rent deposit (or any outstanding rental arrears) where this poses a barrier to being accommodated. This contract will not require ongoing pastoral support in the provision of these services and envisages the provision of accommodation only, unless otherwise stated in this specification. This is because the Authority has already procured alternative services to meet these needs While the Authority is seeking services for dispersed accommodation across the West Midlands region, service delivery and placements will not be required in Birmingham Lot 1: The Contract requires the Provider to achieve the following outcomes: - POP are provided suitable accommodation on release from custody on licence or while under probation supervision in the community; - strive for the provision and facilitation of long-term accommodation and assisting in the removal of barriers to long-term accommodation; - provide accommodation which is suitable for the individual person on probation and does not jeopardise their rehabilitation; - provide accommodation which complies with any statutory, regulatory or MOJ-specific provisions or guidance; - work collaboratively and efficiently with various organisations and public entities to guarantee the best service for the people on probation at the best cost for the Authority; and - contribute to the government ambition of eradicating homelessness. Additional information: Pursuant to regulation 32(2)(a) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 the MOJ intends to directly award this contract by the negotiated procedure without prior publication. The initial conditions of the contract have not been substantially altered from the conditions published at ITT_5586.