Provision of supported accommodation services for young people

This is a prior information notice about a future procurement.

Lancashire County Council (the Council) commissions a range of supported accommodation services for young people in the county. The Services provide support to Children Looked After (CLA), Care Leavers and vulnerable young people including those who are homeless, who are primarily aged 16 to 21. The Services are regulated and are overseen by an Ofsted-led registration and inspection regime.

The Council intends to tender for new contracts in January 2024 for a number of services throughout Lancashire where accommodation has been identified for the purpose of any procurement. However, in reviewing its demand for services, the Authority has identified gaps in provision in the Burnley and Wyre districts. As part of any procurement, it is intended that bidders will have the opportunity to bid for a support-only contract where the provider will be required to source the accommodation from which to deliver the support Service in these areas.

Service Providers may wish to consider potential accommodation options in Burnley and Wyre districts when preparing a submission to any procurement that is published.

In the event that the Council progresses to a tender process, it is anticipated that to be eligible the accommodation must:

- be in a suitable location for young people to be safe from criminal and sexual exploitation, easily accessible by public transport and have access to local amenities. - be well-designed, safe, and pleasant and of a design and size in keeping with the purpose and function of supporting young people. - meet the definition of 'specified accommodation' status under the Department of Work and Pensions regulations. - meet all legislative requirements, including those set out under the Accommodation Standard contained within the Supported Accommodation Regulations (England) Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations including Quality Standards (publishing.service.gov.uk) - ideally provide the number of units within the minimum and maximum range of 8 to 12 for the Burnley District and 6 to 8 in the Wyre area of Cleveleys. Where the number of units in any accommodation exceeds the maximum stated, these excess units above the maximum number may be used for an alternative client group with the prior agreement of the Authority. Examples of use that may be permitted by the Authority may include Service Users receiving lower-level intensive housing management support, or Service Users in employment who pay affordable rent.

The value of any procurement for all the supported accommodation services for young people is anticipated to be between £4.5 million and £5.1 million per annum, with an anticipated total value of up to £35.7 million.