DVA Housing Support Contract

Royal Greenwich is seeking a provider(s) to deliver the following services as part of the Domestic Violence Service for the borough. - Refuge Accommodation - Floating Support - Information and Advice (Case Workers) - Sanctuary (administrative support) Refuges: Will provide a minimum of 30 units of accommodation over 5 property locations for women escaping domestic violence and abuse (DVA) set out as... • 3 locations offering up to 22 units of generic refuge accommodation for women escaping domestic violence and abuse (DVA) • 1 location offering up to 4 units of refuge accommodation for women escaping domestic violence and abuse (DVA) with specific cultural needs or who would not be able to be supported in a mixed environment with young children. • 1 location offering up to 4 units of refuge accommodation reserved for Greenwich single women escaping domestic violence and or gender based violence (DVA) with a substance misuse history, supporting women to engage with treatment services.

Floating Support: - The service will provide a minimum of 60 placements of floating support to residents who have experienced DVA to enable them to manage and maintain independence. - This service would also be expected to work with women with complex needs such as substance misuse and non-severe mental health.

Information and Advice: Caseworkers - The caseworkers will be the first point of contact for referrals into the service. - They will manage communication (phone calls, emails, self-referrals) by dealing with initial referrals and undertake needs and risk assessments with service users. - They will provide on-going case management to service users who have been assessed as standard or non-high risk of harm. - Caseworkers will be responsible for dealing with phone enquiries, both from victims, members of the public, referral agencies and stakeholders.

The role of the caseworker will be to focus on early intervention, non-high risk case management and effective support planning. - The caseworkers will work with females (and males) over the age of 16 years.

Description of the Sanctuary Scheme: The scheme provides security upgrades to properties to enhance security and provide, where appropriate, an inner safe room or 'sanctuary' to reduce danger to potential victims of DVA.

The scheme is open to women who own their home or have their own tenancy for the property they live in, and can legally exclude the perpetrator.

The service will provide - Administrative support to the Sanctuary Scheme by managing and assessing appropriate referrals and coordinating the installation of the enhanced security measures - Floating support to the residents as part of the floating support service