To seek approval to commission, by means of a competitive tender process, a housing-related support service for vulnerable young people, complimented by an offer of targeted and universal prevention services specifically developed for vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25.  New premises have been sourced through a local registered housing provider and a specialist provider is sought to offer varying levels of support to young people with different needs.

This service will not accommodate children in care under the age of 16.

The proposed new model will form part of Herefordshire’s growing offer of accommodation to young people and ensure flexible responses to people accessing services via multiple routes. 

The service will improve outcomes for vulnerable young people in Herefordshire and focus on meeting their individual needs through the provision of good quality accommodation, a clear pathway and flexible support options. The housing itself will be provided in Hereford by a local registered housing provider. The accommodation based, outreach and mediation support will be commissioned from a specialist support provider via a competitive procurement process. The support services will operate from the accommodation in Hereford and outreach and mediation services will support young people throughout the county. 

It is proposed that a procurement will commence in June 2020, and mobilisation will align with the completion of building works and the end of an existing supported accommodation contract for young people on 31 October 2020. That contracted service no longer meets the changing and diverse needs of Herefordshire’s vulnerable young people. The proposed new service would therefore commence on 1 November 2020.