Direct Access Hostel

Bath and North East Somerset Council is considering re-commissioning its direct access hostel provision for single homeless people and is currently seeking expressions of interest from potential providers.
Service Requirements.
We would be looking for interested providers who would be able to:

- support 20 single men and women who have a history of rough sleeping or at high risk of sleeping rough to break the cycle of homelessness.
- support individuals to access services to meet needs that can be complex.
- provide staffing on a 24/7 basis.
- support individuals to meet their needs for physical and emotional wellbeing.
- work with individuals to access the most appropriate housing for their needs, this may include reconnection to their previous support network in other areas of Great Britain and Europe.
- work in partnership with other statutory and voluntary provision in Bath and North East Somerset as part of a pathway of services to meet the needs of homeless people.
- manage the service so it does not cause disruption to any local neighbours or businesses.

Building Requirements
We would require the organisation to be able to source an appropriate building or buildings within the city of Bath. The accommodation would need to:
- be within Bath city area with easy links to transport and local services.
- have 20 bed spaces to include a safe area for women to reside within the hostel accommodation.
- be comprised of single bed space accommodation and not shared rooms.
- some clients may have dogs with them that will have to be accommodated.
- be available for clients to access 24 hours a day.
- meet all health and safety standards.
- have facilities to provide meals and dining space for clients for morning and evening meals.
- Contain a space suitable for holding confidential keyworking sessions with internal and visiting staff from partner organisations.

Any provider wishing to express an interest in this opportunity should do so by e-mail to Heather Crolley at Heather_Crolley@bathnes.gov.uk

Please note this RFI is intended to gauge likely interest in the market and providers are advised that an expression of interest at this stage will not automatically lead to any involvement in any future tendering exercise that may occur. If as a result of this RF1 a formal tendering exercise does occur then all providers will need to express their interest again in order to take part.