Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) are seeking to commission pilots for social inclusion and homelessness services for 2017- 2019 to best meet local needs and deliver positive outcomes.

The pilots have come about following agreement between BDBC and Hampshire County Council, whereby grant funding previously attributable to Supporting People will be combined with BDBC's Homelessness Prevention Grant.

The aims and objectives of the services will be: (I) To provide a flexible and responsive crisis intervention and prevention service to vulnerable people with support needs who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless that improves health and wellbeing, supports social inclusion and reduces the likelihood of them needing adult social care services. (ii) To provide holistic support that prevents homelessness and repeat homelessness, and the loss of independence through tenancy breakdown, hospital admission, custody or other forms of institutionalised care. (iii) To target individuals and families at an early stage and provide interventions which prevent escalation of need and sustain an individual’s current housing situation where it is safe to do so. (iv) To enable service users to develop their capacity to live independently so as to be able to maintain independent accommodation without the need for intensive support at the earliest appropriate opportunity. (v) Support vulnerable people who are in crisis during a period of change in their life/condition/circumstances with the express aim of increasing the individual’s level of independence.

To help with the formulation of the scope of services and procurement process, BDBC wishes to engage with providers in order to obtain their views on the services to be provided, particularly with regard to the various lots that will comprise the contract - see additional information at paragraph 11.8 attached.

BDBC will therefore be hosting a providers engagement event on Friday 20 May 2016.

BDBC reserves its position to adjust the number and/or scope of the Lots following feedback received at the providers event.

BDBC recognises the importance of early engagement with providers and will be holding a providers event on Friday 20 May 2016.

At the event, BDBC will present details of the proposed pilot Social Inclusion and Homelessness Services Pathways and proposed complementary services linked to maintaining social inclusion.

Providers will have the opportunity to express views on the proposed model, composition of lots, budget allocation and the procurement process.

The event will enable providers to help shape the pilot to ensure the successful delivery of services.

The event will take place between 10.30 am and 13.30 pm at BDBC's offices.

To register your interest in attending please email supportedhousing@basingstoke.gov.uk with your organisations' name, your full name, contact number (mobile and land line), email address and the same information for any additional attendees.