Re-tender for the provision of Housing-Related Support Service for children in care and care leavers (16-25 years old) in Herefordshire

Description

Herefordshire Council is inviting suitably qualified organisations to submit tenders for the provision of a housing-related support service for children in care and care leavers aged 16 to 25 residing in Herefordshire. The service will assist vulnerable young people transitioning from care into supported arrangements, offering tailored support, guidance, and access to specialist services based on individual needs. The successful provider will be required to supply accommodation for a minimum of 16 young people in a combination of one- and two-bedroom self-contained units. This must include at least two one-bedroom units designated for emergency accommodation. Prospective suppliers must demonstrate the ability to provide sufficient and suitable properties within the boundaries of the County of Herefordshire to meet the Council's requirements. Alternatively, they must provide evidence of an enforceable agreement with property owners to utilise suitable accommodation for service delivery for the full duration of the contract. Prospective suppliers must also be eligible to make Housing Benefit (HB) claims in accordance with current Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) guidance on specified accommodation. Contract Duration: 1 March 2026 to 20 February 2029, with an option to extend for up to an additional 48 months. Maximum Contract Value: £423,480 per annum, totalling £2,964,360 over a potential seven-year term (including extensions). This amount does not include potential income from Housing Benefit or those payments made by the Council pursuant to the Contract (from the Children's Social Care funding) to cover accommodation costs for eligible Accommodation paid for service users. Estimated annual income from accommodation charges for eligible Accommodation paid for service users is approximately £138,000, with up to a further £118,000 (circa) potentially being receivable for non-Accommodation paid for service users via Housing Benefit payments. IMPORTANT NOTE: These figures are indicative only and DO NOT constitute guaranteed income. Housing Benefit decisions are made independently by the Revenue and Benefits team and are outside the scope of this contract. Additionally, the age profile of those accommodated is subject to fluctuations based on demand. Please note, this is a new competitive procurement process using an Open Procedure conducted in accordance with the Light Touch Regime (Section 9) of the Procurement Act 2023, allowing for procedural flexibilities. The objective of the procurement is to re-tender the service provision in Herefordshire as a contract was not awarded during the procurement that was undertaken in August - September 2025 (Tender for the provision of Housing-Related Support Service for children in care and care leavers (16-25 years old) in Herefordshire, DN562021, FTS ref. 2025/S 000-046973).