Housing Support Linked to Short Term Accommodation - Generic Carlisle

The Council recently completed the allocation of Providers to a Housing Support Linked to Short Term Accommodation Framework.

Due to the limited number of Providers appointed to the Framework a number of gaps in service provision may occur as of 1 April 2016. To ensure that these gaps don’t result in people becoming homeless the Council is, with significantly reduced timeframes, urgently procuring this contract. These services are identical to those procured under the Framework.

The Council’s current Short Term Accommodation Support Service is designed to meet a range of housing support needs presented by young people and adults across the county. Having conducted a thorough review of Short Term Accommodation services, Cumbria County Council has concluded that there remains a need for continued provision, especially in relation to the Care Act 2014. The Act places key duties on the local authority to prevent or postpone the need for support, while focusing on the promotion of wellbeing.
In response to the Care Act 2014, Service Specifications have changed to reflect an increased emphasis on:
• Equitably and flexibly allocating support for Service User types across the County.
• Maintaining a joined up multi-agency approach to supporting Service Users once they enter Short Term Accommodation.
• Service Users completing a pathway to independent living.
• Staff work hours flexibly meeting the support needs of Service Users.
• Service Users having ‘personalised support plans that are actively monitored, holistic in approach and focus on the achievement of outcomes.
• Service Users being supported to successfully maintain a tenancy after leaving Short Term Accommodation.

These changes are taking place within a context of a reduction of funding.