Scope
Description
The Key Service Aim is to support young people in need and reduce inequality, supporting the Council's priority for People as identified in the Council Plan; we will support everyone to start well, live well and age well. We are ambitious for all our children and young people; committed to listening to their aspirations and showing them how much we care. Council plan | Westmorland and Furness Council
Service Vision
Our ambition for the young people in our service is that:
• Young people receive the right help at the right time.
• Young people receive a service that is personalised to their needs, from a service offer which is consistent across the county.
• Young people who access our services go on to experience a bright and fulfilling future, free from the risk of homelessness.
Our ambition for the service is that, from the first point of contact with a young person who is experiencing homelessness/at risk of homelessness, everyone working in this service area sees the potential in that young person and plays their part in shifting that young person from a point of crisis, to give them hope for the future.
Minimum provider requirements
Providers must be Ofsted registered, with Ofsted registered services to host the service within.
The Authority is seeking a Service Provider with proven track record of delivering supported short term accommodation services and emergency temporary accommodation services for young people.
Service Providers will:
• Work with young people aged 16 and up to their 18th birthday, or up to age 24 if care experienced, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Work with young people who have complex support needs including mild learning disabilities, high functioning autism; and complex trauma.
• Work with statutory services to provide support services to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
• Work with young people who have been involved in the criminal justice system, including rehabilitation of offenders;
• Implement person centred approaches to service delivery to enable young people to identify and achieve their goals;
• Deliver support to obtain and sustain suitable independent accommodation;
• Operate in innovative and flexible ways to improve efficiency and the quality and effectiveness of services.
The Service Provider shall be responsible for maintaining accurate, up-to-date records of all service occupancy, move-in and move-on activity. This shall include, but is not limited to:
• The total number of units available and occupied at any given time;
• Details of young people entering and leaving the service, including dates of admission and departure;
• Reasons for move-on or service exit, including whether move-on was planned, unplanned, or due to enforcement action; and
• Destination of young person upon move-on, where known.
The methods, tools, and frequency of data collection and reporting shall be agreed between the Authority and the Provider during the mobilisation period.
Service availability
The support Service is to be delivered throughout the year, including weekends and bank holidays. It is the responsibility of the Service Provider to ensure that the service is fully accessible.
It is the responsibility of the Service Provider to maintain a responsive support service that is required to meet the fluctuating needs of each individual Young Person outside of typical office hours.
The Service Provider will also offer access to emergency temporary accommodation 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 52 weeks per year.
Service user eligibility
Service Priority will be given to:
• Young people for whom the Authority has a statutory duty (16-17-year-olds at risk of homelessness);
• Young people for whom the Authority has a statutory duty (care experienced young people up to the age of 24 at risk of homelessness);
• Young people aged under 18 leaving custody.
Commercial tool
Establishes a dynamic market
Total value (estimated)
- £800,823 excluding VAT
- £800,823 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKD - North West (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
17 September 2025
The engagement was carried out before this notice was published.
Engagement process description
Engagement session was held via teams on the 17th September 2025
The following instructions were posted
Westmorland and Furness Council is looking to engage with existing and potential providers of Housing Support Linked to Short Term Accommodation and Emergency Temporary Accommodation for Young People to discuss the forthcoming Service requirements in Westmorland and Furness. The session shall:
• Provide overview of the proposed service specification
• Provide details of the timeline for the forthcoming tenders
• Allow providers to ask questions
Providers are not required to attend to be considered for the tender process but those attending should find the event beneficial, as it will outline the service and the proposed service specification and provide insight and information regarding the procurement process to be undertaken.
If you would like to join the meeting please send an email request for the meeting invite, by 5pm Tuesday 16th September to: commissioning@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
31 October 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Westmorland and Furness Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYYD-1758-YNVR
South Lakeland House
Kendal
LA9 4DQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKD12 - East Cumbria
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government