Warm homes Network - Collaborative Project

This direct award represents the continuation of a successful and board-approved GD3 partnership, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of support to customers living in, or at risk of, fuel poverty across the Cadent and Northern Gas Networks (NGN) distribution areas. The Warm Homes Network has been developed through a collaborative approach involving YES Energy Solutions, Lightning Reach, Citizens Advice Manchester and Turn2us, creating an established referral network and integrated support model that would be difficult to replicate without significant disruption.

The proposed service introduces a single point of contact (SPOC) model, enabling customers to access a range of tailored interventions through one coordinated service. These include income maximisation support, benefits and debt advice, energy efficiency guidance, home energy assessments, benefit entitlement checks and grant search assistance. The existing partnership has developed the specialist expertise, referral pathways, operational processes and customer trust required to successfully deliver this holistic support model.

A competitive procurement exercise is unlikely to provide additional value given the maturity of the existing arrangements, the proven capability of the delivery partners and the significant investment already made in establishing the Warm Homes Network framework. Undertaking a competitive process could introduce delays to mobilisation, disrupt established referral channels and negatively impact support provided to vulnerable customers during a period of continued cost-of-living pressures.

Direct award will ensure continuity of service, preserve established stakeholder relationships and maintain delivery momentum while supporting the strategic objectives of Cadent and NGN to reduce fuel poverty, improve customer wellbeing and provide targeted support to vulnerable households. The arrangement also enables the partners to build upon the outcomes and learning generated during GD3, maximising social value and ensuring customers continue to receive support through a trusted and proven delivery model.

The direct award is therefore considered the most effective and proportionate route to secure continued delivery of this specialist service, ensuring value for money whilst mitigating the risk of service interruption for customers who rely on the support provided through the Warm Homes Network.