CO6129 Women's Safety and Support Service

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) is driven by the vision of positively improving the quality of life of vulnerable socially excluded people. They are committed to ensure that rough sleeping is prevented wherever possible and, where it cannot be prevented, it is rare, brief and non-recurring.

For over 20 years, the council has commissioned a rough sleeping street outreach service. During this time, thousands of individuals have been identified, assessed, and supported through tailored action plans. The service has successfully achieved many move from the streets into temporary or permanent accommodation, while working with partners to ensure that clients sustain their homes and have opportunities to improve their health and well-being.

This document is the specification for the delivery of an Enhanced Rough Sleeping Outreach Service (EROS) in London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

The overarching aim of the Service is to support individuals who are rough sleeping in Tower Hamlets by responding to alerts of new rough sleepers, conducting assessments, and providing casework that engages both statutory and non-statutory services to ensure a holistic response to client needs. This is with the aim of supporting individuals to access suitable and appropriate accommodation and move them away from rough sleeping for good.

This specification shall form part of the legal basis for the provision of the service for the contractual period of 4 years. It describes in detail the services to be delivered. It sets out the principles, requirements, activities, outcomes and monitoring for the Service that are expected to be achieved over the Service contract period. It is expected that services will be subject to review, change and innovate over the course of their delivery.

The successful bidder shall need to commence the new service 01st April 2026.

The London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH) is driven by the vision of positively improving the quality of life of vulnerable socially excluded people. They are committed to ensure that rough sleeping is prevented wherever possible and, where it cannot be prevented, it is rare, brief and non-recurring.

The council has commissioned a form of an Advice and Support Service, aimed at supporting individuals sleeping rough and those at risk of rough sleeping, for over 15 years. Previously it has been incorporated into a broader resource centre model, but this contract is now solely for the Advice and Support element.

The Advice and Support Service, which must be delivered from an inclusive and appropriate building, is an assessment and referral service with a specific focus on achieving accommodation and reconnection outcomes. It also connects people sleeping rough with physical and mental health care, substance use treatment, harm reduction services, employment opportunities, and peer mentoring.