2223-0251 – Domestic Abuse Refuge

Islington Council and its partners are committed to the provision of excellent services to address domestic abuse. The domestic abuse refuge service will be critical in reducing the level and impact of domestic abuse in Islington by increasing the safety of survivors and their families.

This contract is for a domestic abuse refuge accommodation and support service commissioned by Islington Council. The new contract will require a successful bidder to have access to premises from the contract start date, that provides a secure and inclusive, welcoming community atmosphere.

The specification that is published with this contract opportunity provides details of the provision the council is seeking from the provider:

• The service will be designed to meet the specific needs of women escaping abuse and be inclusive to women self-identifying as transgender women. The refuge service will operate in women-only buildings and only employ women staff.
• The service will provide a safe place to stay for survivors and their children and will aim to address both practical and emotional needs of families.
• The service will provide women and their children with one to one and peer support aiming to enable families to cope with the trauma they’ve experienced, leave abusive relationships, regain their self-esteem and support them to begin rebuilding their life in safety and independence.
• The service will demonstrate anti-racist values through actions and accountability to survivors from Black, Asian and minoritised backgrounds based on collaboration, inclusivity, and intersectional representation.
• Islington Council and partners will work with the provider to develop the service to meet the needs of survivors and their families. To enable us to do this we require a service provider who is knowledgeable about the impact of violence against women and girls (VAWG) on diverse communities, experienced in delivering domestic abuse services and who will work innovatively to meet the needs of survivors and their families.
• The service provider will demonstrate a clear focus on utilising resources providing the greatest positive impact for survivors and their families.
• The service provider will demonstrate exceptional social value improving economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of survivors and their families.