Decision details

Award of contract, Housing Related Support: short-term accommodation -based service

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member - Health and Social Care

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Request approval to award a contract for Housing Related Support: short-term accommodation-based service.

Decision:

Option c) To award a contract for the Provision of Housing Related Support: Short-Term Accommodation-Based Service for three (3) years with an option to extend up to a further two (2) years, to the suppliers recommended in the report.

Reasons for the decision:

Option a) Do not award a new contract for the provision and allow it to continue as it is. This is not the recommended option, as:
•The provision is out of contract and there are legal risks with this option.
•This option would not deliver the improvements to service delivery, nor savings to the council, identified in the report.
•Continued uncertainty has a negative impact on service providers, e.g. on staff retention, and on landlords, who are unlikely to invest in the stock where future use is uncertain.
Option b) Do not award a new contract and allow the provision to cease. This is not the recommended option, as:
•Cabinet has previously approved the commissioning intentions for re-tendering of the provision, recognising its contribution in meeting the council’s duty of prevention and relief of homelessness for households with additional support needs. These households struggle in unsupported Temporary Accommodation (TA) provision and cannot readily access general needs housing until their support needs are addressed.
•The provision supports several council priorities, such as helping care leavers to move on to independence, supporting victims of domestic abuse in safe accommodation - which is a new statutory duty - and to improve the mental health of vulnerable residents. Many households are likely to experience further crises and require more intensive and costly services without the support.

Alternative options considered:

Option a) Do not award a new contract for the provision and allow it to continue as it is.
and
Option b) Do not award a new contract and allow the provision to cease.

Reason Key: Expenditure > £250,000 (Significant expenditure or savings);

Corporate Priorities : Co-operative Services with people and social value at their heart;

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Key Decision Reference: HSC-06-21

Making Representations: To the report author

Other reasons / organisations consulted

With various stakeholders via meetings, workshops, and focused consultation.

Consultees

Service users, and officers from several Decorates including ASC, Strategic Housing, Children's Services.

Contact: Lynda Megram, Planning & Commissioning Manager Email: lynda.megram@oldham.gov.uk Email: Lynda.Megram@oldham.gov.uk.

Publication date: 23/12/2021

Date of decision: 22/12/2021

Effective from: 06/01/2022

Accompanying Documents: