LBN - Domestic Abuse Accommodation Service

Newham Council invites interested providers to tender for the Domestic Abuse Refuge Accommodation Services contract.

The Adults and Health commissioning team has developed a new vision, set of values, principles and core requirements for the new service provision as part of the work to develop the council's wider response to domestic abuse and sexual violence.

To this end, the recommissioning of the refuge will demonstrate the council's continued commitment to addressing Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, and at its very core, the recommissioning will:

• Acknowledge the need for accommodation that provides a safe, secure and supportive space for families who have experienced significant abuse and are at risk of further harm and homicide
• Acknowledge the need to embed a trauma informed approach across Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence services and responses to domestic abuse in the borough
• Provide access to local specialist service provision that works from a person-centred perspective supporting the individual to address multiple needs (including improving physical and mental health, addressing substance misuse needs, disability, improving educational and employment opportunities, accessing legal and immigration advice, specialist advocacy and therapeutic interventions)
• Addressing the needs of children and young people by providing them with a safe, continuous environment, which is conducive to addressing their needs and ambitions and protects them from experiencing harm and abuse
• Give significant consideration to how the council supports smaller specialist community organisations to engage with and participate in Newham's commissioning processes in respect of the council's Community Wealth Building Strategy.

The value of the proposed contract will be £1,386,000 over the lifetime of the contract (£198,000 per year over seven years). A contract length of seven years (5+2) is likely to attract specialist domestic abuse providers to tender as it provides long term financial stability for organisations; many of which will be small grassroot community organisations, which almost exclusively make up the market place.

It also encourages organisations to invest in the service and embed continuous improvement over a longer period maximising the benefits to service users and the return on investment.

In addition it sends a strong message that Newham is committed to funding specialist domestic abuse services and working with small specialist organisations.

This is an open procurement process and will ensure the selection of a suitable provider in accordance with the service specification. There is a minimum requirement of 25 beds to be provided per supplier and the Authority will award to one provider once a full tender process has been completed. This procurement is being evaluated based on 100% quality due to the nature of the service and the quality of care required for our service users.

Bids that exceed £990,000 will be rejected by the council.