Preliminary Market Engagement: Provision of Rough Sleeping Rapid Assessment Outreach / In reach Serv...

Southend-on-Sea City Council (SCC) is seeking expressions of interest through this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice in advance of a potential procurement opportunity for the provision of a Rough Sleeping Rapid Assessment Hub, Outreach and In-Reach Service.
The purpose of this engagement is to:
• Assess market interest in the opportunity and understand capability / capacity
• Gather feedback to help inform the future service specification and procurement approach.
• Understand innovative approaches to supporting rough sleepers and people at risk of rough sleeping.
• Ensure any future procurement is proportionate, transparent and reflective of market capability.
Background
In Spring 2018, Southend-on-Sea City Council worked with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to secure funding through the Rough Sleeping Initiative.
Since the initial funding award, the Council has secured ongoing investment via the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant to support initiatives aimed at reducing rough sleeping and improving accommodation and support pathways for vulnerable residents.
The Council is now exploring future service delivery arrangements for the period 2027-2029 in line with future funding arrangements.

The current service model includes:
• Assertive Outreach and In-Reach Officers.
• A Rapid Assessment Hub providing emergency accommodation and support.
• Rough Sleeping Coordination.
• Rough Sleeper Navigators, including support for individuals with restricted eligibility.
• Personal Budgets to support engagement and access to accommodation and services.
• Additional accommodation provision during periods of increased demand.
• Housing Solutions and Private Sector Housing support.

Service Aims
The future service is expected to contribute towards the following objectives:
• Reducing rough sleeping within Southend-on-Sea through a flexible and responsive service.
• Supporting individuals into suitable accommodation through prevention and relief interventions.
• Delivering effective multi-agency interventions for individuals with complex needs.
• Supporting individuals to sustain accommodation and reduce repeat rough sleeping.
• Working in partnership with statutory and voluntary sector organisations to improve outcomes.
The Council is particularly interested in understanding suppliers' credible experience and ability to provide:
• Deliver rough sleeping outreach and in-reach services.
• Be able to provide at least 12 self-contained (no shared bathrooms) supported bedspaces within Southend-on-Sea from Service Commencement.
• Deliver rapid assessment and support interventions.
• Work collaboratively with housing, health, social care and voluntary sector partners.
• Support individuals with complex needs, including substance misuse, mental health and multiple disadvantage.
• Mobilise services within Southend-on-Sea.
• Deliver measurable outcomes and performance improvements.

Further detail can be found further below in this notice regarding Preliminary Market Engagement activity.

Suppliers are encouraged to provide information on any alternative delivery models, innovations or examples of good practice that may assist the Council in refining the future service specification.

Interested organisations are invited to complete and submit the accompanying PME Questionnaire via the ProContract link within this notice.
Link to PME Questionnaire: https://procontract.due-north.com
Project Name: Preliminary Market Engagement: Provision of Rough Sleeping Rapid Assessment Outreach / In reach Services
Project Reference: DN828059

Procurement Timeline:
In addition to the above, please see below SCC’s indicative procurement timeline (subject to further amendment):
• Tender published: Late November – Early December 2026
• Tender Evaluation: January 2026
• Notification of Award: Late January 2026
• Mobilisation: February – March 2027
• Service Commencement: Late March 2027

Legal Disclosures:
Respondents are advised that the purpose of this notice is to engage in dialogue with the market. The scope of service, date of publication or potential contract value should not be taken as a final "version" of requirement.
This notice is not a call for competition to procure any services and is not published to reduce time limited for the receipt of tenders.
Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response or (lack) to this notice. Nor shall a response to this notice guarantee an invitation to participate in this market consultation exercise or any future procurement process that Southend-on-Sea City Council may conduct.