Domestic Abuse Refuge and Refuge Based Support Services for Women and Children

Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations.

The aim of the service is to provide temporary safe accommodation within a refuge setting to victim-survivors of domestic abuse (and any dependent children/young people that are accommodated) that improves the safety, harm reduction, recovery and wellbeing of the victim-survivors. The commissioned service(s) should have a strong focus on partnership working and community engagement.

We welcome proposals from experienced providers who can demonstrate a commitment to survivor-led approaches, multi-agency collaboration, and continuous improvement. The

successful provider will play a vital role in helping us create a safe and supportive environment for those impacted by domestic abuse.

The opportunity is issued as multiple Lot contract based on geographical locations.

Suppliers can bid for a maximum of two geographical areas/lots.

Geographical Area Number of Units

Lot 1 North Durham 9

Lot 2 South Durham 8

Lot 3 East Durham 6

Lot 4 Central Durham 9

It should be noted that whilst premises that exceed the minimum required number of units detailed above may bid/be successful in contract award, the total annual settlement (the annual contract value) will remain as specified in the Tender documents.

Permitted Changes to Contract:

Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG.

Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions.

At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed above but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services.

The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities.

The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance re. domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government.

If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful

bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier.