Domestic Abuse Support Services in Herefordshire

Herefordshire Council is seeking to commission high quality, specialist domestic abuse services to meet its statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Services are to be commissioned through a lot-based procurement as set out below:

• Lot 1 - Safe Accommodation Service

This lot provides a crisis response for survivors at immediate or high risk of harm who require urgent access to safe accommodation with intensive specialist support. The service will provide high-quality, person-centred support to residents and their children to address safety, recovery, and move-on needs. The supplier will be responsible for sourcing and maintaining appropriate properties that meet required safety and quality standards.

• Lot 2 - Whole family community-based Domestic Abuse support service and dispersed safe accommodation

This lot covers community-based domestic abuse support for individuals and families, alongside dispersed safe accommodation for those who do not require refuge or immediate crisis intervention. Accommodation under this Lot is a planned, lower-intensity offer focused on stabilisation, prevention, and longer-term recovery. The supplier will be responsible for sourcing suitable dispersed accommodation properties that meet agreed safety and quality standards, and will deliver a trauma-informed, whole-family approach, including targeted support for children, young people, and non-abusive parents.

The procurement has been structured to support participation from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through clear lotting and proportionate requirements.

The contract is also well suited to voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, including consortium or partnership arrangements where appropriate, reflecting the specialist, trauma informed nature of domestic abuse service provision.

Bidders will be able to apply for one or both lots, and financial, technical and insurance requirements will be set at levels appropriate to the scale and risk profile of each lot.