London Accommodation Pathfinder

The London Accommodation Pathfinder (LAP) is an innovative pan-London project for 16 & 17-year-old male children (with some turning 18 whilst in the provision), as an alternative to custody or on remand with provision for resettlement. The service will provide community-based accommodation and intensive support to meet the shortfall of appropriate provision in London. This contract builds on some of the successes of the current model and will continue to develop best practice for this cohort of children.

The provision will be for 5 placements in a single supported accommodation setting, with scope in the contract to bring additional units online if the demand can be evidenced. The contract will contain a clause which will allow for growth of the service in other boroughs.

The London Accommodation Pathfinder forms part of the Association of London Directors of Children's Services (ALDCS) and London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA) Pan London Commissioning Programme which has a remit to secure better quality, value and choice in high cost, low incidence, placements.

The service will provide a bespoke support and risk management programme designed around this cohort of children. The Provision is directly overseen by the London Accommodation and Resettlement Partnership more commonly referred to as the LARP.