Provision of Support in Refuge for Men & Children Escaping Domestic Abuse

Cornwall Council, as commissioner on behalf of the Safer Cornwall Partnership, currently
provides support within safe accommodation to men and children who have experienced domestic
abuse and who may require additional support in relation to other vulnerabilities.

The key aim of the service is to increase the safety of individuals through the supplier’s
provision of specialist safe accommodation and person-centred, trauma informed support
services that empower the individuals to take control of their lives, understand their own and
others’ behaviours and how they can support themselves. Support will be provided
according to assessment of risk and need and delivered by trained and experienced workers
with a high level of understanding of the specific needs.

This service must be delivered in a safe and protective environment through, dedicated buildings with shared or self-contained housing with communal areas that will enable peer support, and where possible having appropriate adaptations to meet the needs of those with disabilities. The services will also provide culturally sensitive related support and accommodation to men from ethnic minority backgrounds and consider referrals for transgender men or individuals that self-identify as non-binary, based on circumstances and appropriate risk assessment.

The supplier will provide a minimum of 5 units of furnished specialist safe accommodation in Cornwall, as detailed in the tender documents and that meet or exceed the required specification. This includes appropriate security; 7 days a week, 24 hour, in person or on call tailored support for service users accommodated on a license agreement for an optimal 20 week stay; men aged 16 and above, with or without children who are escaping domestic abuse and who may also have additional vulnerabilities.

Tenders are invited by Cornwall Council from Providers with relevant experience and ability to demonstrate sufficient capacity within available budget funding envelope, for the Provision of support in Safe Accommodation for men and children escaping Domestic Abuse, for an initial four year period commencing April 2024, with an option for extending the contract by up to a further six years, in three year increments.

For the avoidance of doubt, the maximum available budget for this service is £135k for the first year and bidders exceeding this available budget will be deemed to be unsuitable.