Issue - meetings

Report of the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning (Deputy Leader)

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved the award of contracts for the provision of Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) support services to the successful tenderers (identified in Appendix 1 - Part B (exempt information) of this report) for a period of six years, commencing 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032, in accordance with CSO 16.01 and CSO 2.01(c). The total maximum value of the contracts over their full duration was £3,029,958 across three separate contracts. A breakdown of costs for each contract was detailed in Appendix 1 - Part B (exempt information) of this report.
   
   
2. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health to consider and approve inflationary increases to the contract for Years 4 to 6. Any such adjustments were capped at a level not exceeding the annual rate of increase in the London Living Wage.
   
   
3. Noted that contract pricing remained fixed for the initial three years of the contract term, with no provision for adjustment during this period.
   
   
4. Noted that the provision of Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) coordination was removed from the second tender process, as this function would be brought in-house. The anticipated commencement of in-house service delivery was April 2026.
   
   
5. Noted that no bids were received for Lot 3, which related to the LGBTQ+ Independent Domestic Violence and Advocacy (IDVA) Service. Additionally, tenders received for Lot 4 (Generalist Refuge Accommodation) and Lot 6 (Domestic and Gender-Based Abuse Prevention and Support for Children and Young People) did not meet the published evaluation criteria and were therefore disqualified from further consideration.

Reasons for Decision

There was an identified need to support victim/survivors and their children who were at risk of or experiencing domestic abuse, with prevention and early intervention support as well as crisis response.

The Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Pathway of Support Services aimed to keep victim/survivors and their children safe by providing community-based, specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA) support for adults and children and young people, emergency accommodation via refuge accommodation, and education and prevention for children and young people.

The recommendation to award contracts to the successful tenderers was based on the outcome of a competitive procurement process, during which all submitted tenders were evaluated against the published award criteria. In accordance with procurement regulations, the contracts were proposed to be awarded to the Most Advantageous Tenderers, as determined by the evaluation outcome.

The organisations recommended for contract award submitted robust proposals that demonstrated substantial expertise and a clear commitment to delivering high-quality, appropriate care and support to victim/survivors of DA and VAWG. The tenders also highlighted the providers’ extensive local knowledge, well-established partnerships with both statutory and non-statutory organisations, and a proven track record in delivering relevant services. These attributes were deemed essential for the effective and sustainable delivery of services under the respective Lots.

Furthermore, the successful tenders submitted strong proposals demonstrating a clear commitment to Social Value by supporting employment pathways for  ...  view the full decision text for item 358

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing introduced the report.

It was explained by the Cabinet Member that the Council was focussed on ending violence against women and girls. It was stressed that the services were essential for Haringey Council to provide, giving women and children who experienced domestic abuse the best possible start to recovery and the opportunity to live a life where they could thrive. It was explained that the proposals were designed following significant engagement with residents with lived experience, and individuals and organisations supporting them.

It was explained that domestic abuse and broader violence against women and girls affected individuals in different ways depending on their intersectional needs. It was stressed that services were needed to meet the requirements reflecting the diversity of our residents, including race, ethnicity, age, LGBTQ+ identities and immigration status. The different components of the proposed tender addressed the range of needs. It was stressed that the proposed services played a critical role in Haringey’s Coordinated Community Response to VAWG, delivering high-quality support for victim/survivors and their children throughout their journey to safety and recovery. They reduced risk of harm through safety planning and empowered victim/survivors to achieve positive outcomes in their health and wellbeing, financial resilience, housing, and the criminal and civil justice systems.

Following questions from Councillors Ovat, Hakata and Connor, the following information was shared:

• It was noted by the Cabinet Member that there was opportunity to insource the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) coordination and that other comparable local authorities did comparable work. It was additionally noted that there was little competition in this area, and that insourcing would give the Council the opportunity to gain best value for money.
  
  
• It was explained by the Cabinet Member that procurement work included social value, and that providers would, as part of their bids, would undertake work on focussing on local employment. It was stressed that all providers were required to give evidence of social value.
  
  
• It was explained by officers that the Council would ensure that there was adequate refuge provision, and that the Council worked with other neighbouring authorities to ensure this.
  
  
• It was explained that the Council had specific services which had dedicated support for some communities which had been identified as under-reporting. It was stressed that this targeted work had brought some good results across these under-represented communities.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved the award of contracts for the provision of Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) support services to the successful tenderers (identified in Appendix 1 - Part B (exempt information) of this report) for a period of six years, commencing 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032, in accordance with CSO 16.01 and CSO 2.01(c). The total maximum value of the contracts over their full duration was £3,029,958 across three separate contracts. A breakdown of costs for each contract was detailed in Appendix 1 - Part B (exempt information) of this report.
   
   
2. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Adults,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 358