Temporary Accommodation Occupancy Checks

Description

The London Borough of Newham is seeking expressions of interest from suitably experienced suppliers to deliver a programme of unannounced occupancy checks and case reviews for approximately 7,900 households in temporary accommodation, located across 49 local authority areas. The Council requires an external supplier to visit households, verify occupancy, assess property conditions, review housing options and support needs, and complete a standardised Case Review Form for each visit. Scope of Work •Unannounced occupancy checks: in-person visits to verify household composition against Council records, with full photographic and documentary evidence of every visit. •Case review form completion: completing the Council’s standardised form covering household verification, property condition, financial circumstances, housing options, support needs, and required actions. •Three-attempt protocol: minimum three visit attempts at varied times before classifying a case as unable to contact; Council notified with full evidence of all attempts. •Weekly progress reports covering visits attempted and completed, unsuccessful cases, safeguarding escalations, and property issues. •Same-day safeguarding escalation for all concerns identified during visits. Geographical Coverage: Newham Households: 4,568 Adjacent East London (Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Hackney) Households: 2,668 Other London boroughs Households: 220 Outside London (Essex, Kent, Surrey, Herts, Hants, Beds) Households: 436 Supplier Requirements: Interested suppliers must be able to demonstrate: •Enhanced DBS checks for all personnel carrying out visits. •Relevant experience of occupancy verification, tenancy audits, housing visits, or comparable fieldwork at scale (minimum two references from the last three years). •Robust safeguarding policies, data protection arrangements (UK GDPR compliant), and information security measures. •Operational capacity to deliver occupancy checks and case reviews across the geographical spread listed above. •Insurance cover: Public Liability (£2m), Employer’s Liability (£2m), Professional Indemnity (£1m). •Access to interpretation services for a diverse borough population.