2425-0692 Supported Housing and Floating Support Framework - Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage

Tender description

Islington Council invites suitable expressions of interest from suppliers for the above. The requirement Islington Council is establishing a Flexible Framework for a period of eight years, with an estimated start date of October 2027. A 'flexible framework ' is a contractual arrangement between Islington Council, as the contracting authority, and a number of providers. The purpose is to establish the quality requirements, pricing, and terms and conditions of providing the specified services during a given period of time. The council can then purchase services via the flexible framework from the successful providers. These are called ‘call-off’ contracts. The quantity and configuration of services purchased through the flexible framework is defined by the council, in response to local demand, and can change during the period of the framework. Services will be procured under the flexible framework based on presenting demand, available funding, and availability of suitable buildings for accommodation-based services. The primary aim of this procurement is to establish a flexible framework that allows for a range of supported housing and floating support services to be commissioned, that all seek to achieve the same set of defined outcomes. These outcomes will be codesigned with residents and broadly relate to tenancy sustainment, reducing homelessness, promoting health and wellbeing, and achieving greater independence. By procuring these services under a flexible framework, the council aims to establish a holistic offer that can respond to the different stages of a residents’ journey towards independence, recognising that this journey is not always linear. Residents will receive high-quality support whether they are living in supported housing, moving into their own home, or transitioning between different types of support. Supported housing, in the context of this procurement, is used to describe accommodation-based services where residents require and are provided with care, support and/or supervision to help them live as independently as possible within the community. Support may include help with managing tenancies, daily living skills, and accessing community services. Residents have their own tenancy, and they are individually financially liable for paying their rent. In most cases this is covered by Housing Benefit. Floating support, in the context of this procurement, is used to describe support that is not delivered from specific accommodation. It is, however, a service intended to help people manage their tenancy and live as independently as possible within the community. Floating support services may be delivered in people’s own homes, in the community or in Council settings (e.g. Access Hubs, libraries), and includes street homelessness outreach services. The framework will be procured using a Light Touch two-stage process comparable to the competitive flexible procedure. All submissions will be subject to minimum requirements as stated in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). The second stage will be an evaluation of tenders submitted by bidders who are selected at the PSQ stage. When the framework is initially opened, there will be no minimum or maximum number of providers appointed to the framework. The council reserves the right to reopen the framework at any time during its term to allow new organisations to apply to join. Call-off contracts from the framework agreement shall follow the terms of the framework agreement including how a call-off contract is concluded. How a call-off contract is concluded is explained within the invitation to tender documentation. This framework is being divided into lots. · Lot 1 – Complex long-term supported living · Lot 2 – High support transitional supported accommodation · Lot 3 – Medium to low support transitional supported accommodation · Lot 4 – Floating support services (as defined below) Lot 1 – Complex Long-Term Supported Living 24-hour intensive supported living for people with complex mental health needs. The service will provide long-term, psychologically informed support focused on daily living skills, independence and maintaining wellbeing. Length of stay will be based on individual need. Lot 2 – High Support Transitional Supported Accommodation 24-hour staffed, psychologically informed accommodation for people with multiple and complex needs. Support will focus on stabilisation, harm minimisation, recovery, developing independence and preparing residents to move on to lower support or independent living. Stays are expected to be up to 24 months. Lot 3 – Medium to Low Support Transitional Supported Accommodation Flexible, psychologically informed accommodation and support for people with medium to low support needs. Support will focus on recovery, confidence, independence, practical life skills and community connections, with an emphasis on preparing residents to move on to more independent accommodation. Stays are expected to be up to 24 months. Lot 4 – Floating Support Services Flexible, community-based support delivered in people’s homes, community settings and other local venues. Services may include housing-related floating support, street homelessness and other outreach services. Support will focus on achieving agreed goals, maintaining or moving into settled accommodation and reducing reliance on more intensive services. The length of support will vary according to individual need and the requirements of each call-off contract. The Framework will run for a period of up to ninety-six (96) months with an estimated start date of October 2027. Call-off contracts may continue beyond the expiry date of the Framework Agreement where call off contracts are awarded within the framework term. The flexible framework has a maximum total value of £200 million over an eight-year period. Providers on the Framework will not be guaranteed call-off contracts, nor any minimum volume or value of work, during the lifetime of the Framework. Award criteria - tender stage: Tenders to join this framework agreement will be assessed against the following award criteria: Cost/price 30% Quality 70% The 70% quality criteria for Lots 1, 2 and 3 will be based on: • Social Value (20%) • Operating principles, organisational practice, and monitoring performance, quality assurance and continuous improvement (15%) • Housing management (5%) • Harm and risk minimisation, including safeguarding and health and safety (10%) • Partnerships, communities and innovation (10%) • Engagement and coproduction (10%) Total 100% The 70% quality criteria for Lot 4, the floating support category will be based on: • Social Value (20%) • Operating principles, organisational practice, and monitoring performance, quality assurance and continuous improvement (20%) • Harm and risk minimisation, including safeguarding and health and safety (10%) • Partnerships, communities and innovation (10%) • Engagement and coproduction (10%) Total 100% Further details will be provided in the invitation to tender. Keywords: Supported accommodation, Complex needs