Agenda item

To agree to procure new accommodation-based support services for victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Resolved:-

To agree to procure new accommodation-based support services for victims of domestic violence and abuse.

                  Approval was sought to authorise the Director of Adult Social Care to enter into a procurement exercise to procure new accommodation-based support services for victims of domestic violence and abuse, for a contract and services commencing 1 February 2023 and for a maximum period of 5 years with a budget of £470k per annum and £2.35m across the contract term.

                  The Vice-Chair of Economy Skills Transport and Environment Scrutiny Board questioned how awareness could be raised with housing officers who were crucial to the initial assessments of victim domestic abuse and whether the availability of safe accommodation would be promoted. It was also asked whether male victims of domestic violence were also being supported.

                  The Cabinet Member for Adults, Social Care and Health explained that officers were currently raising awareness of domestic abuse with multi-agency professionals across Sandwell with the provision of free training through the multi-agency domestic abuse training programme which included training around domestic abuse, sexual assault and abuse, honour-based abuse and forced marriage. In addition to this, Housing had commissioned their own training specifically around identifying domestic abuse and supporting victims which was being provided to all of their housing staff. All multi-agency training and single agency training would soon be monitored through an outcome framework which would monitor the take up of the training and how the training was implemented within day to day practice. Over the last year 2021-22, 943 professionals had accessed training.

                  In addition to this, there was a comprehensive Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault and Abuse Communications Plan to ensure that the Council raised awareness through social media and press releases that reached a varied and diverse audience, so that victims of abuse understand that domestic abuse support in Sandwell was open to anyone and everyone. Some of our recent comms activities had included messages for male victims of abuse, victims who ae LGBTQ and elderly victims.

                  Safe Accommodation in Sandwell was open to all adult victims of domestic abuse, whether the victim was with or without children, and regardless of age, gender, disability, ethnicity or sexuality. In Sandwell we are lucky enough not to have a lack of safe accommodation available, however if this was the case a victim of domestic abuse would be signposted to a refuge or dispersed property out of the Sandwell area which was also sometimes the safest option for them.

                  A further question was asked whether existing or new services would be procured to address working survivors who were unable to access safe accommodation.

                  In response, the Cabinet Member for Adults, Social Care and Health stated that the Council had a legal duty to support individuals under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 where a person was threatened with homelessness as a result of domestic abuse or was homeless after fleeing domestic abuse. Sandwell MBC Housing Solutions offered direct support to victims who present as homeless or threatened with homelessness due to domestic abuse. Victims could refer themselves directly by calling or by sending an email.

                  A Homelessness Prevention Officer would carry out a full housing needs assessment and support them with their homelessness needs. Not all victims wished to leave their home so if the victim chose to stay in their own home and it’s safe to do so, they may be eligible for sanctuary support. The Sanctuary Scheme provided enhanced physical security measures as well as specialist domestic abuse support.

                  Where it was determined it was not safe for a victim of domestic abuse and their family to remain in their own home they would be supported with safe temporary accommodation, this could either be with accommodation provided by Black Country Women’s Aid (refuge accommodation or a placement in a dispersed property) or within the Council’s provision of temporary accommodation Domestic Abuse victims who were working are able to access safe accommodation although admittedly there would be a cost to this which meant it did make it less accessible for some victims. However, BCWA had a number of different property types, so there were options available depending on family size and personal financial circumstances. If a victim had no recourse to public funds or were in employment and did not qualify for welfare assistance, BCWA would always work with them to find the most affordable options.

                  If following an assessment, refuge was not an affordable option, victims were advised this should not be a barrier to leaving the abusive situation and assistance would be provided to ensure that they were signposted and referred to agencies that could help them. BCWA would still be able to offer safeguarding support around domestic abuse.

                  Reasons for Recommendations

The current contract for Accommodation based support for victims of domestic abuse expires 31 January 2023 which provides 34 units of safe accommodation and support to victims of domestic abuse and their families.

An independent assessment of provision in Sandwell was recently undertaken as part of the Council’s responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This found that provision in Sandwell was not only sufficient to meet local demand but also provided a good customer journey and very positive outcomes for people experiencing Domestic

Violence and Abuse. This report also pointed to the service supporting effective and timely move on to safe and appropriate alternative accommodation.

The report did suggest a few areas where support could be further enhanced which we were building into the new contract and we were looking to bring together a smaller contract for additional refuge provision into the new main contract from February 2023.

Given the very specialist nature of the service historically there had been very few providers in the market and the Council had no evidence to suggest that this would be any different for this procurement exercise. Therefore, in the likely event that fewer than the required number of

tenders were received an exemption to rule 8.7 of Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules 2018-2019 was sought to allow a contract to be awarded to the successful tenderer.

Alternative options considered

The current contract expired 31 January 2023 with no option to extend and as the service was required to allow the Council to meet its statutory duty under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 there was no option other than to procure the service.             

                           Agreed:-

(1)     that approval be given to the Director of Adult Social Care to enter into a procurement exercise to procure new accommodation-based support services for victims of domestic violence and abuse, for a contract and services commencing 1 February 2023 and for a maximum period of 5 years with a budget of £470k per annum and £2.35m across the contract term;

(2)     that approval be given to the Director of Borough Economy to award the contract given that the budget funding for this contract will sit with Borough Economy.

(3)     that approval be given to make an exemption to rule 8.7 of the Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules 2018/19 to allow a contract to be awarded to a successful tenderer in the event that the required minimum number of tenders are not received.