HAC5909 - Tower Hamlets Generic Women’s Refuge

Tower Hamlets has a proud history of supporting people who are socially excluded through the delivery of personalised, early intervention housing support services. Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a key priority for the Council and has developed the Tower Hamlets Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2019-24. This strategy sets out our priorities and commitments for tackling all forms of gendered violence. The provision of supported emergency accommodation which offers women with their children an immediate safe route out of homes where they have experienced domestic abuse is key to meeting this commitment. Further to this the new Domestic Abuse Act 2021 places a duty on local authorities in England to provide support to victims of domestic abuse and their children in refuges or other safe accommodation. Tower Hamlets Council delivers our refuge provision within a pan-London strategic response to domestic violence working closely with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and specifically the Mayors Office for Policing & Crime (MOPAC). London’s draft strategy for consultation was published on 5th November 2021, informed by a London needs assessment. The final Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Strategy was published in December 2021 The service will deliver as a minimum: • 5 hours per week, per person of direct support • It should include as a minimum a first point of contact for service users during the operating hours. Provision of a property for the service is also required Full information can be found in the tender documents