PPME For Provision of Housing Advocacy For Victims/ Survivors Of Domestic Abuse

Hertfordshire County Council ‘the Council’ wishes to invite interested Providers to return the P P M E Appendix A- Supplier Questionnaire by 12.00 noon)Thursday 7th December 2023.The Council will consider the input and responses received as part of its P P M E to help inform the Council’s options and further decision making regarding the below intended project and to help inform its specification.Project BackgroundVictims who are homeless as a result of domestic abuse have priority need for homeless assistance and suitable accommodation. Local authorities have a duty to secure accommodation for victims of domestic abuse if they are homeless. This includes ensuring there is support specifically for victims with unique and or complex needs, such as mental health advice and support, drug and alcohol advice and support, as well as signposting accordingly.The Whole Housing Approach aims to reduce the number of people who are made homeless as a result of domestic abuse and increase tenancy sustainment options for victims and survivors.A key element of the W H A model is co-located advocacy. Co-located advocacy focuses on victim and survivors’ self- identified needs, rather than needs defined by the service.The proposed service would be based on the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance .Co-located advocacy improves access to specialist domestic abuse support for victims and survivors who approach the local authority for housing. It plays a key role in ensuring their safety and meeting individual housing needs. Current Position and ScopeThe Council currently commissions S A D A (Survivors Against Domestic Abuse) to deliver the housing navigator pilot. The Housing Navigator Pilot is Hertfordshire’s localised version of housing advocacy.Housing navigators work closely with the ten districts and boroughs in Hertfordshire’s housing teams and domestic abuse providers to offer housing-related support and advice to people experiencing domestic abuse. This can include advice on housing options, safety planning and risk management.The Housing Navigator Pilot will end on the 30th June 2024. It is anticipated that the Co-located Housing Advocacy service will commence on the 01 July 2024. The Council will act as the lead commissioner for a range of funding partners, which will include Hertfordshire’s ten District Councils.Scope going forwardThe Council wants to commission a countywide service to support victims and survivors of domestic abuse, to access safe and sustainable housing through housing advocacy. The Council is currently anticipating awarding a core two-year contract commencing on 01 July 2024 with the option of an extensions for a further year . Please note this will be defined in any forthcoming contract terms and conditions.The proposed tender would be open to a range of provider organisations that have the necessary experience and expertise. It is anticipated that significant partnership and collaborative working will be required to deliver this service successfully to all areas of Hertfordshire. It’s anticipated that the chosen provider(s) would be required to work collaboratively with the Council, district councils, housing providers and wider community services to continually improve access to services and develop and maintain pathways.For the avoidance of doubt, this stage of the project is not part of a formal procurement process, and the Council is not committing, at this stage, to carrying out such a process. Participation or non-participation in this P P M E shall not prevent any supplier participating in a potential procurement process nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any supplier at an advantage in any forthcoming procurement process.