Procurement for Semi-independent Living and Supported Accommodation Services for Looked after Children and Care Leavers Aged 16-24 2021

2021 Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) is a not-for-profit private limited company that is wholly owned by Reading Borough Council. BFfC was established in December 2018 and has a single purpose which is to provide the best possible services to children, young people and families in Reading. BFfC has the statutory responsibility, on behalf of the council, for the delivery of children's social care, education, Youth Offending, Special Educational needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Early Help (both interventions and prevention). The BFfC Board has overall responsibility for overseeing how the organisation is run and providing advice on its future direction and strategy. There are seven

members on the board including a Chair, Managing Director, Executive Directors and Expert Non-Executive Directors.

Brighter Futures for Children currently uses a framework of approved providers to identify placements for young people aged 16 and over, requiring supported accommodation. This ITT is for a 4 year Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) , with an option to extend for up to 24 months. The DPS is expected to commence on 19th August 2021 to provide the specified services to Reading young people. The aim of this service is to make a successful transition progressing young people towards independent living by providing high quality accommodation and support whilst facilitating their personal well-being, ensuring safety and equipping them with the skills required to sustain an independent

tenancy long term. The service aims to provide a settled period in a safe environment where the young people will receive an intensive housing management and support service which will help them gain the necessary skills to live independently and achieve positive outcomes. The service includes a range of accommodation and support options

for vulnerable young people, ranging from buildings based supported accommodation with staff on site to supported lodgings within the homes of trained hosts through to flexible outreach support to support young people wherever they live. The Service Provider will provide accommodation and/or support for the following client groups:

• Looked after children aged 16 plus including Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Minors
• Care leavers (16-17)
• Care leavers aged 18 plus who are awaiting access to social or private rented housing or whose needs require them to retain the accommodation and support.

The Council requires a range of different services to be provided by Providers on the DPS. When applying to join the Framework, Providers will be required to identify which of the five Service Categories

they can offer in response to the Company's requirements.

The Service Categories are:

Lot 1 - Shared house for 18 plus UASC and some other 18 plus, 2 hours keywork

Lot 2 - High support 24/7 staffed, 16-17 year olds, occasionally 18 plus, 5 hours p.w 121 keywork

Lot 3 - Self contained flats with floating support, 5 hours per week, for 18 plus

Lot 4 - Supported lodgings for 16, 17 and 18 plus up to 21 who "Stay Put"

Lot 5 - 24/7 staffed 16-17 old, UASC

Providers on the DPS will be welcome to expand the range of Service Categories (Lots) that they offer at any stage by applying on the live DPS portal that they have suitable new properties for the categories The Council reserves the right to add additional Service Categories over the DPS operating period to allow for new services to be provided.