Domestic Abuse in Dudley Borough

Dudley MBC is seeking to invite interest in the provision of refuge and satellite accommodation in Dudley Borough with housing related support, floating support in the community and a sanctuary service for people experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse in Dudley Borough. The service must provide at least 33 units of self-contained and en suite accommodation that meets the Government Decent Homes Standard which includes a main refuge staffed 24 hours a day containing a minimum of 14 self-contained units. Additional accommodation can include some ensuite provision and needs to range in size in order to meet needs including those of larger families and those with older males and have available staff cover 9am-5pm. At least one self-contained flat must be suitable for a wheel-chair user. The length of occupancy for all types of accommodation ranges from one night to up to two years.The service must also provide:• a Sanctuary Service to arrange the implementation of security enhancements by an appropriate/approved tradesperson/company to existing accommodation enabling individuals to safely remain in their own homes • an outreach service supporting individuals in the community The service must be responsive to the needs of all victims including male victims, older victims, younger victims, LGBTQ+ and work effectively with other domestic abuse service providers/partners.The service must provide structured and outcome focussed support based on an individual’s identified support needs and work positively and proactively with other appropriate services to ensure those support needs are met in a co-ordinated way. The goal being to prepare residents for move on to independent tenancies elsewhere or remain safely in their own home.The service must also work positively and proactively with other accommodation-based services to identify a wide range of longer-term accommodation possibilities and facilitate access and referral to them.There is a budget of approximately £299k annum though this could change, depending on the final model procured.The accommodation and housing related support service must be in place and ready for use, in its entirety, from 2nd August 2023.The Council is specifically not seeking any proposals from any developers/contractors who are seeking to acquire accommodation rather than having it in place at this pre-procurement stage.