2425-0692 Supported Housing and Floating Support Framework

The requirement

Islington Council is establishing a Flexible Framework for a period of eight years, with an estimated start date of October 2027.

A 'flexible framework ' is a contractual arrangement between Islington Council, as the contracting authority, and a number of providers. The purpose is to establish the quality requirements, pricing, and terms and conditions of providing the specified services during a given period of time. The council can then purchase services via the flexible framework from the successful providers. These are called 'call-off' contracts. The quantity and configuration of services purchased through the flexible framework is defined by the council, in response to local demand, and can change during the period of the framework.

Services will be procured under the flexible framework based on presenting demand, available funding, and availability of suitable buildings for accommodation-based services.

The primary aim of this procurement is to establish a flexible framework that allows for a range of supported housing and floating support services to be commissioned, that all seek to achieve the same set of defined outcomes. These outcomes will be codesigned with residents and broadly relate to tenancy sustainment, reducing homelessness, promoting health and wellbeing, and achieving greater independence.

By procuring these services under a flexible framework, the council aims to establish a holistic offer that can respond to the different stages of a residents' journey towards independence, recognising that this journey is not always linear. Residents will receive high-quality support whether they are living in supported housing, moving into their own home, or transitioning between different types of support.

Supported housing, in the context of this procurement, is used to describe accommodation-based services where residents require and are provided with care, support and/or supervision to help them live as independently as possible within the community. Support may include help with managing tenancies, daily living skills, and accessing community services. Residents have their own tenancy, and they are individually financially liable for paying their rent. In most cases this is covered by Housing Benefit.

Floating support, in the context of this procurement, is used to describe support that is not delivered from specific accommodation. It is, however, a service intended to help people manage their tenancy and live as independently as possible within the community. Floating support services may be delivered in people's own homes, in the community or in Council settings (e.g. Access Hubs, libraries), and includes street homelessness outreach services.

When the framework is initially opened, there will be no minimum or maximum number of providers appointed to the framework. The council reserves the right to reopen the framework at any time during its term to allow new organisations to apply to join.

Call-off contracts from the framework agreement shall follow the terms of the framework agreement including how a call-off contract is concluded. How a call-off contract is concluded is explained within the invitation to tender documentation.