Estimated Value
Not specified
Deadline
27 July 2026
Published
1 July 2026
Type
Not specified
Overview
Islington Council invites suitable expressions of interest from suppliers for the above.The requirementThe Homeless Outreach Service is for anyone rough sleeping in the London Borough of Islington. The service will work at unsocial hours, undertaking shifts early in the morning and late at night to meet people when they are more likely to be bedded down.
The council is looking for a support provider that is experienced in providing (rough sleeping) street outreach services in London. The objectives of the Homeless Outreach Service are to: • Work towards a sustained reduction in rough sleeping in Islington • Provide a rapid response service to meet people rough sleeping quickly to ensure rough sleeping episodes are brief • Support individuals to access accommodation, making referrals to emergency housing and support to access longer term accommodation• Support the Council meet the national target of halving long-term rough sleeping, as outlined in the national plan • Conduct welfare checks on those known to be rough sleeping, who may be resistant to accept support/accommodation.
The strategy emphasizes the need for proactive outreach services, who can work in a relational and person-centered way, to support people access a suitable and sustainable route away from the streets. The Islington Together 2030 plan sets out a commitment to ensuring that by 2030, everyone in Islington has a safe, decent and genuinely affordable place to call home and that residents experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, will feel well cared for and supported throughout.
Regulations cited
- Procurement Act 2023
Submission
Maintain regular contact to build rapport and trust, to form the basis needed, to allow more structured work to happen over time• Provide case management – each individual to have an allocated ‘lead’ outreach worker responsible for overseeing their support, a contact point for service user and other agencies• To work closely with the Council’s specialist workers and wider rough sleeping intervention partners, to reduce the harm to people sleeping rough and achieve the above aims – this will include making referrals and undertaking joint shifts• To work collaboratively with other services to ensure that needs other than housing are met, to reduce a return to rough sleeping once in accommodation• Work with the Street Population Manager and Community Safety Team to address rough sleeping encampments/hotspot areas and associated anti-social behaviour which can be caused by rough sleeping • To support Islington Council in its community engagement activities relating to rough sleeping • Participate in bi-monthly and annual street counts• Participate in all severe weather protocols and work to ensure that no one dies on the streets • Ensure records on the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) are kept up to date• Submit monthly and quarterly reports to support operational and contract monitoring meetingsThe provision of this service meets a number of the Council’s key strategies: Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024 - 2029 and the Islington Together 2030 Plan.\ Additionally, this service will support the Council to fulfil the requirements related to rough sleeping set out in the Government’s national plan: A National Plan to End Homelessness - GOV.UKThe Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024 – 2029 highlights the unique challenges faced by rough sleepers and those experiencing multiple disadvantage, including two or more of the following: poor physical or mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse and experience of the criminal justice system.
Contact & helpdesk
The team will be the first point of contact for those rough sleeping and will locate individuals by responding to street link referrals, partner notifications and intelligence led outreach.
Additional details
Contract period The duration will be 24 months from an estimated start date of 1 October 2026, with options to extend for two (2) periods of up to 24 months each (maximum 72 months). This will be dependent on funding being available and service performance.
Value of the contract The estimated total value of this contract is £630,000 for 24 months and £1,890,000 over the maximum 72 months. This is based on £315,000 per annum.
Award criteriaThe contract(s) will be awarded to the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Tenders for this contract will be assessed against the following award criteria: Quality 60 %Cost/price 40 %Quality made up of:20% - Proposed approach to social value10% - Proposed approach to casework in an outreach capacity, using a personalised and strengths-based method 5% - Proposed approach to using data to effectively target resources according to need, to provide a responsive and flexible service 5% - Proposed approach to balancing rapid engagement with new rough sleepers and delivering the intensive casework needed to reduce long-term rough sleeping 5% - Proposed approach to managing rough sleeping hotspots 5% - Proposed approach t
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
This is a contract for a Homeless Outreach Service, where a service provider will deliver support and engagement work to homeless people, likely including street-based outreach, assessment, and referral to accommodation or support services. The contract is for a public sector body (council or health service) looking to commission specialist homelessness support.
Requirements
- Experience delivering homeless outreach services or similar frontline support work
- Staff with relevant training in homelessness, mental health awareness, and safeguarding
- Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends
- DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance for all staff
- Safeguarding policies and procedures in place
- No specific qualifications listed in this notice — check the full tender documents for any required certifications or accreditations
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Street-based outreach to identify and engage homeless individuals
- Conduct needs assessments and create support plans for service users
- Refer homeless people to accommodation, mental health services, or other support as needed
- Provide welfare checks and crisis support
- Maintain records and report on service activity and outcomes
- Liaise with local services (housing, health, social care) to coordinate support
How to Read This Tender
- 1Look for the 'Service Specification' or 'Scope of Work' section — this tells you exactly what activity the council expects (e.g. how many outreach sessions per week, how many service users to engage, which areas to cover).
- 2Find the 'Contract Value' and 'Contract Period' clearly stated — this tells you the budget and whether this is 1-year, 3-year, or longer.
- 3Check the 'Key Performance Indicators' (KPIs) section — councils measure success by numbers: how many rough sleepers engaged, how many housed, how many mental health referrals. You'll be held to these targets.
- 4Social value scoring is common in homelessness contracts — councils want to see how you'll improve outcomes beyond the basic service (e.g. employment support, training). Read the 'Quality' or 'Social Value' section.
- 5Homelessness services often require 24/7 or out-of-hours availability — check if this is expected and whether you can staff it.
Tips for Small Businesses
- Homelessness is a specialist field — if you're new to it, consider partnering with an established homelessness charity as a subcontractor or consortium partner. They bring credibility and service knowledge; you bring delivery capacity.
- Councils score heavily on 'local knowledge' and 'partnership working' — highlight any existing relationships with local hostels, mental health services, or drug/alcohol support. This is a major advantage for small local providers.
- Staff retention and training are critical in outreach work (it's high-stress, high-turnover). In your bid, explain your recruitment plan, staff support/supervision, and how you'll keep experienced workers. Councils want stability.
Before you bid, buyers check
two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
Actions
Sign up freeto open noticeA free account takes a moment and unlocks the buyer’s own notice, tender documents, fit scoring and the Bid Writer. From 1 September 2026 opening these links becomes £2/month membership.
Open Bid WriterIndependent software, web & cloud studio. We design, build and grow digital products that quietly outlast their category.
How to Apply
Step-by-step submission guide
Submission Portal
Procurement Portal
Open the original notice
Click the button below to view this tender on the official portal
Find submission instructions
Look for "How to apply" or "Submission" sections in the notice
Register on the portal
Create a free account on the buyer's procurement platform
Download tender documents
Download all specifications, templates, and pricing schedules
Submit before the deadline
Complete all documents and submit through the portal — do not email unless explicitly instructed
Always check the official notice for the exact submission method and deadline.
Key Dates
Published
1 July 2026
Submission deadline
27 July 2026
Source
procontract
Related Contracts
CA18385 - nova education trust tender for the provision of IT security and internet filtering platform
Nova Education Trust wants one partner to supply and run a complete IT security and internet‑filtering system for its 19 schools, covering about 5,000 devices and 140 servers for roughly 12,000 students.
Brent parking IT system
The council is looking for a consultancy to analyse the market and advise on commercial models, procurement options and best‑value approaches for its parking IT services.
Annual capital tree programme
Liverpool City Council is looking for a qualified supplier to provide a range of trees for its Annual Capital Tree Programme during 2026‑2027 across the city.
871-NYC-CD library e-books, e-audiobooks and e-press
North Yorkshire Council is seeking information from suppliers about digital library content – e‑books, e‑audiobooks and e‑press – to understand what solutions exist and help shape a future tender. This is an RFI, so they want written responses rather than a formal bid at this stage.