18+ Care Leavers Step-Down Accommodation and Support Service

Bradford Children and Families Trust intends to directly award a contract for the provision of an 18+ Care Leavers Step-Down Accommodation and Support Service. The service will provide suitable accommodation alongside flexible, person-centred housing-related support for care-experienced young people aged 18 and over.

It is intended for young people who no longer require higher-intensity specialist supported accommodation but who still require planned support before moving into fully independent living. The provider will be responsible for sourcing, managing and maintaining suitable accommodation within the agreed geographical area.

The provider will also deliver support tailored to each young person’s assessed needs, including tenancy sustainment, budgeting, education, training and employment, health and wellbeing, community integration and preparation for independent living. The service will be delivered through a phased mobilisation model, providing capacity for up to 20 accommodation units during the first year, increasing to 30 units in year two, 35 units in year three and 40 units in year four, subject to demand and individual placement requirements.

The proposed initial contract term is four years, with an option to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance, continued demand, available funding and the relevant Trust approvals. The Trust intends to award this contract directly under section 43 of the Procurement Act 2023, following an unsuccessful competitive procurement in which no suitable tender was received. The proposed direct award remains for the same service requirement, with clarification that the required accommodation capacity will be delivered through phased mobilisation.