Invitation to Tender for the provision of Refuge, dispersed refuge and support for victims of domestic abuse in HerefordshireFloating Support for Men and BoysSafe Accommodation and Floating Support Lived Experience Advisory Group Co-ordination

Lot 1 - Refuge, dispersed refuge and support for victims of domestic abuse in Herefordshire

The provider will be expected to demonstrate innovation and flexibility in the support offered which should include;

• Advice, information, guidance, practical and emotional support.
• 24 hour telephone help-line (advice and support for victims and concerned others and professionals) for all victim-survivors of domestic abuse including men.
• Refuge accommodation will be dedicated to women and children.
• Extended refuge will be open to men or women and their respective children as required.
• Assessment of needs and risks for all family members including children.
• Safety planning for victims and their children.
• Develop and implement coordinated safety plans in conjunction with other agencies / forums where needed.
• Case working / Support co-ordination.
• Group work programmes.
• One-to-one support, based on an assessment of needs.
• Peer support.
• Signposting to appropriate positive activities.
• Appropriate managed handovers to other generic / specialist services.
• Counselling and mediation services.
• Services for children and young people – including specialist support, play therapy, mediation and counselling.
• Co-location of a specialist domestic abuse worker with Herefordshire Councils Early Help team.
• Increased focus on prevention through education and publicity
• Promote and ensure access to services for people with protected characteristics

LOT 2 - Safe Accommodation and Floating Support

The provider is expected to deliver at least 6 units of safe accommodation and associated housing, advocacy and one to one support for families affected by domestic abuse as follows:

• Advice, information, guidance, practical and emotional support.
• Safe accommodation and support will be open to men or women and their respective children as required. (Please note that a separate support service for men and boys is being commissioned and it is expected that where possible the provider will signpost men to this service, but will continue to support as needed e.g. housing support and advise).
• 24 hour cover for service users in case of an emergency.
• Assessment of needs and risks for all family members including children.
• Safety planning for victims and their children.
• Develop and implement coordinated safety plans in conjunction with other agencies / forums where needed.
• One-to-one support, based on an assessment of needs.
• Signposting to appropriate positive activities.
• Appropriate managed handovers to other generic / specialist services.
• Promote and ensure access to services for people with protected characteristics
• Liaison and collaboration with wider domestic abuse services including safe accommodation and specific domestic abuse support

LOT 3 - Floating Support for Men and Boys

The provider will be expected to demonstrate innovation and flexibility in the support offered which should include;

• Advice, information, guidance, practical and emotional support.
• Assessment of needs and risks for all family members including children where applicable.
• Safety planning for victims and their children where applicable.
• Develop and implement coordinated safety plans in conjunction with other agencies / forums where needed.
• One-to-one support, based on an assessment of needs.
• Peer support.
• Signposting to appropriate positive activities
• Appropriate managed handovers to other generic / specialist services.
• Counselling and mediation services if needed.
• Liaison and collaboration with wider domestic abuse services including safe accommodation and specific domestic abuse support for children (please see below).
• Promote and ensure access to services for people with protected characteristics
• Support to men and their families as they move into longer term accommodation within Herefordshire.
• Delivery of a programme of preventative training and engagement targeted at men and boys domestic abuse both as victims and as potential perpetrators

LOT 4 - Lived Experience Advisory Group Co-ordination

• The initial development of the LEAG has already been undertaken under a current contract. This contract seeks to continue the development of this network and ensure that the voices of people with lived experience are heard and used to influence commissioning and service development across the two counties.
• Implementation of the Lived Experience Engagement Strategy, work plan and monitoring / evaluating its impact. Including embedding a long-term, sustainable approach to meaningful co-production, consultation, and engagement across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
• Coordination and continuation of the Lived Experience Advisory Group, including ensuring members contribute to strategic documents and the design of the new DA service as a key priority
• Planning, coordination, and delivery of recommendations / key projects / activities