Money Management & Money Advice for Council Tenants

Description

This contract will be divided into 2 Lots: Money Management and Money Advice for Council Tenants Interested parties may apply for Lot 1 or Lot 2, or both Lots 1 and 2 Description of the Services Lot 1 - Money Management Brighton and Hove City Council (the Council) is seeking to re-procure its money management support service. The money management contract manages the money of individuals who lack the capacity to manage their own money and have no family or friends who are able to act on their behalf. The service acts as an appointee, deputy or agent receiving an individual's benefits, paying their bills, delivering cash and supporting them to make large purchases. The service also supports with debt and benefit applications, ensuring individuals are maximising their income. Those supported under the contract have a range of support needs, including learning disabilities, mental health needs, dementia, physical health needs and high substance use. The service also provides subsistence funds for those with No Recourse to Public Funds. The service is currently operated by an external provider and we anticipate that TUPE regulations would apply in relation to staff currently employed within the service, including associated pension requirements. We are undertaking engagement with the market to help further refine our requirements and approach and welcome responses to the questionnaire included in this notice. Please see current details of services below. Staffing is subject to change - details would be confirmed in the tender. The Current Service: Service Management 1.5 FTE (3 staff) Finance 1.5 FTE (4 staff) Money Support Workers 4.2 FTE (8 Staff) Money Advisor 3.1 FTE (9 staff) Advice & Duty Supervision 1.2 FTE (2 staff) Reception 1.1 FTE (3 staff) The Service supports 255 individuals with the following primary support needs (although many individuals will have more than one support need). Primary Support Need % of Service Users Learning Disability 33% Physical Support 32% Mental Health 22% NRFP Assistance 8% Sensory Support 2% Memory and Cognition 2% High Substance Use 1% The service currently operates both in-person appointments and a drop-in facility during office hours in central Hove. They offer a cash delivery and cash collection services, and pre-paid cards. The service has permission of the Financial Conduct Authority to carry out regulated financial activities and operates IT systems and independent auditing to ensure individuals' money is held safely and in line with regulations. Lot 1 value: £750,000 (exc. VAT) The Council is planning to procure a single supplier to deliver this part of the contract (Lot 1), through a competitive flexible procurement procedure. Please note that this is not a tender process. The Council is currently undertaking preliminary research and this process does not constitute an offer of contract from either party. Lot 2 - Money Advice for Council Tenants & Leaseholders The Council is exploring market capacity and capability to deliver a service that supports tenants, both in secure and temporary accommodation, and leaseholders who are experiencing debt problems, benefit issues, or reduced household income. The service aims to: • Help tenants resolve personal debt and budgeting challenges • Maximise benefit entitlement and household income • Prevent rent arrears, mortgage debt, council tax debt, and homelessness • Maximise income recovery for the council • Provide person‑centred, trauma‑informed support Some service users may have complex needs, including mental health issues, learning disability, alcohol/substance misuse and physical health issues. The requirement is for a service with two key elements • Triage and support - to provide rapid assessment of service user needs followed by short-term intervention if necessary • Casework - to support service users requiring more than short-term intervention. The service is currently operated by an external provider, supporting Council tenants and leaseholders. We are undertaking engagement with the market to help refine the requirement and welcome responses to the questionnaire included in this notice. The Current Service • 2 FTE qualified debt and money advisers The service supported 325 residents in 2024/25, delivering financial outcomes totalling £907,482, primarily through benefit gains and insolvency solutions. The service operates both in person appointments at offices based in the city and a remote service primarily delivered by telephone. The service has permission of the Financial Conduct Authority to carry out regulated financial activities. Lot 2 value: £100,000 (exc. VAT) The Council is planning to procure a single supplier to deliver this part of the contract (Lot 2), through a competitive flexible procurement procedure. Please note that this is not a tender process. The Council is currently undertaking preliminary research and this process does not constitute an offer of contract from either party. TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE INCLUDING EXTENSIONS £4,250,000 (Lots 1 and 2)