Scope
Reference
DN788762
Description
In 2019, Essex County Council (ECC) commissioned the Floating Support Service, which provides a broad range of short and medium- term interventions to prevent homelessness and address other housing related needs. Operating a peripatetic model, the service delivers flexible, outreach support across the County; providing targeted, cost-effective interventions to vulnerable adults and their families, who are at imminent risk of losing their accommodation, or whom may be experiencing a period of crisis.
The service is aimed at people across a range of housing tenure, including those accommodated in social housing, owner-occupiers, private rented accommodation, as well as providing support to those who are homeless and require support with applying for accommodation.
Essex County Council are seeking a floating service that can provide:
1. Targeted floating support to individuals and/or families presenting with complex needs including, but not limited to, threatened homelessness, substance misuse, domestic abuse, offending, mental-ill- health, neuro diversity, physical/sensory impairment, financial hardship/exclusion, care leavers and refugees with access to public funds. Floating Support encompasses a broad range of activity.
2. For the purpose of this specification, Floating Support may include any intervention or assistance that enables individuals who are vulnerable, at risk of homelessness or are experiencing a period of crisis to manage and maintain their homes across all forms of tenure.
3. More generic and early interventions to a wider range of individuals and/or families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with less complex presenting issues, where earlier and less intensive interventions will prevent deterioration
4. The ability to flex provision to support the identified target groups to ensure opportunities to "step up" and step down" as and when appropriate.
5. Clear service discharge processes that promote a positive and sustainable outcome, but with the opportunity to re-engage with the service in the event of emergency or crisis
6. Support for those with lived experience to access peer support and volunteering opportunities (possibly in conjunction with other services) as well as the potential for Mutual Aid.
Support is time limited and targeted and aimed at enabling the individual to reach a point where support is no longer required. Support will be provided in partnership with other specialist services including, but not necessarily limited to, health, social care, criminal justice and other public/voluntary sector partners.
In relation to the information regarding the contracting authority within this notice, please be advised that the contracting authority is Essex County Council and any Successor Body meaning one or more entities which assumes any of the Council's functions (as applicable) as a result of Local Government Reform (LGR). Such successor body or bodies may be, without limitation, a local authority, a combined authority, a combined county authority, a strategic authority or any other status determined pursuant to the Devolution and LGR Legislation.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £17,500,000 excluding VAT
- £21,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
21 November 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
21 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 3 December 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
4 December 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
- Possible extension to 31 March 2033
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
1 possible extension of 24 months (2 years)
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Information about tenders
- 15 tenders received
- 8 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 5 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 3 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 7 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Unsuccessful suppliers
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Suppliers
CENTRAL CARE RECRUITMENT LIMITED
- Companies House: 10370621
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVGL-2791-CRLL
Harlow Enterprise Hub, Kao Hockham Building, Edinburgh Way,
Harlow
CM20 2NQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKH35 - West Essex
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
CITIZENS ADVICE ESSEX LIMITED
- Companies House: 06150651
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWYG-7971-YHHM
Council Offices
Maldon
CM9 5DL
United Kingdom
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
MORAH SERVICES LIMITED
- Companies House: 10408152
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPCY-1949-CCBR
11 Hind Close
Chigwell
IG7 4EA
United Kingdom
Region: UKI53 - Redbridge and Waltham Forest
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
OPTIMALCAREPLUS LIMITED
- Companies House: 13053234
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWWR-3326-TRZH
Suite 113, Building 13 Thames Enterprise Centre
East Tilbury
RM18 8RH
United Kingdom
Website: http://www.optimalcareplus.co.uk
Region: UKH32 - Thurrock
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
OPTIMUM SUPPORTED HOUSING LIMITED
- Companies House: 10943643
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVHT-6363-VZWN
156 Castle Road
Chatham
ME4 5HY
United Kingdom
Website: https://www.optimumsupported.co.uk/
Region: UKJ41 - Medway
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
PEABODY TRUST
- Companies House: RS007741
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYJY-3925-DVJD
45 Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7JB
United Kingdom
Email: procurement.enquiries@peabody.org.uk
Website: https://www.peabody.org.uk/
Region: UKI44 - Lewisham and Southwark
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
PEOPLE POTENTIAL POSSIBILITIES
- Companies House: 02495423
- Charity Commission (England and Wales): 703163
Eagle House
Ilkeston
DE7 8HU
United Kingdom
Website: http://www.p3charity.org
Region: UKF13 - South and West Derbyshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Together for Mental Wellbeing
- Companies House: 00463505
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYCG-3379-BVJY
52 Walnut Tree Walk
London
SE11 6DN
United Kingdom
Website: http://www.together-uk.org
Region: UKI45 - Lambeth
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Contracting authority
Essex County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWVM-4844-NRQH
County Hall, Market Road
Chelmsford
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Email: craig.forster@essex.gov.uk
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government