GMCA 1769: Regional Care Cooperative Supported Accommodation

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority Regional Care Cooperative (RCC) is developing a new, region wide approach to supported accommodation for children transitioning out of care aged 16 – 17 and care experienced young people. The RCC has been established to strengthen sufficiency, improve outcomes and develop a more ethical and purpose driven care market across the region.

Ensuring young people leaving care have safe and supported environments as they prepare for adulthood.The supported accommodation market is comprised of a range of providers and commissioning arrangements, and service delivery approaches vary across localities. Engagement with young people and sector stakeholders, alongside data analysis and market insight, indicates that experiences of support and placement stability can be inconsistent and that young people often face challenges when moving into adulthood.

The RCC has identified a benefit in a regionally coordinated approach that enables innovation in the sector to design a new supported accommodation and settling in model.This procurement forms part of the RCC’s wider programme of work to support market sustainability and capacity, strengthen regional planning, and increase the availability of provision that meets current needs and outcomes for young people. The RCC intends to establish a multi provider open framework through a Competitive Flexible Procedure. The approach to commissioning and procurement designed thus far aims to ensure accessibility for all eligible providers.