Tender for Domestic Abuse Support Services in Herefordshire

Herefordshire Council is inviting tenders for specialist domestic abuse support services across the county as part of its statutory responsibilities under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

The procurement is divided into two lots covering safe accommodation and wider community-based domestic abuse support. Bidders can tender for one or both lots, with the Council intending to appoint a maximum of one supplier to each lot.

Prospective suppliers must be able to secure and maintain suitable accommodation within Herefordshire throughout the contract or provide evidence of robust arrangements to do so.

Mobilisation is expected to begin from 4 January 2027, with services commencing on 1 April 2027.

Lots Available

Lot 1 – Safe Accommodation Service

The service will provide refuge and dispersed safe accommodation alongside specialist domestic abuse support for victim-survivors and their children who require urgent access to accommodation because of an immediate or high risk of harm.

The successful provider will be responsible for providing and maintaining:

• A minimum of 20 safe accommodation units, comprising an appropriate mix of refuge and dispersed accommodation
• One emergency unit
• At least one dispersed property that is fully accessible for individuals or families with physical disabilities or mobility needs

Specialist support must also be provided to enable safe access, recovery and move-on.

The initial two-year contract value for Lot 1 is £742,366. The estimated value stated for the lot across the potential contract period is £2,231,698 excluding VAT.

Lot 2 – Whole Family Community-Based Domestic Abuse Support Service, Dispersed Safe Accommodation and Housing Advocacy Support

This lot will provide a countywide domestic abuse support service incorporating:

• Prevention and early intervention
• Floating and outreach support
• Support linked to Sanctuary Scheme provision
• Structured group and whole-family interventions
• Housing-related advocacy
• Dispersed safe accommodation

The successful provider must provide a minimum of eight dispersed safe accommodation properties within Herefordshire. At least one must be fully accessible for individuals or families with physical disabilities or mobility needs.

The initial two-year contract value for Lot 2 is £480,609. The estimated value stated for the lot across the potential contract period is £1,443,045 excluding VAT.

Contract Information

Buyer: Herefordshire Council

Deadline: 7 October 2026, 12:00pm

Contract Value: £3,674,743 excluding VAT

Delivery Length: Mobilisation from 4 January 2027, with service delivery from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029 and the option to extend for up to a further 48 months to 31 March 2033.

Tender Link: https://www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk/

The deadline for enquiries is 24 September 2026 at 5:00pm, with an estimated award decision date of 24 November 2026.

Tenders must be submitted exclusively through the ProContract e-tendering system on the Supplying the Southwest Portal.

Funding and Extension Arrangements

External grant funding for both lots is currently confirmed for the initial two-year contract period only.

Any extension beyond 31 March 2029 will depend on the availability of the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant and Public Health Ringfenced Grant funding, identified service need, satisfactory supplier performance and the Council’s internal governance approval.

The Council anticipates that future funding could be in line with 2027–2029 levels, but this is not guaranteed. Funding during an extension could be higher or lower, potentially resulting in changes to service volumes, accommodation capacity and activity levels.

If grant funding is not allocated from 2029/30 onwards, the Council states that it is very likely that no contract extension will be awarded.

The stated contract values relate to commissioned support services and exclude Housing Benefit or other accommodation-related income received directly by providers. The Council will not underwrite accommodation-related costs.

Evaluation Criteria

Tenders will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Quality – 73%
• Price – 15%
• Social Value – 12%

Procurement Procedure

The opportunity is being procured through an open procedure under the light touch regime.

The Council has identified potential contract performance risks including changes to statutory duties or guidance, future funding arrangements, Housing Benefit or specified accommodation rules, demand for safe accommodation, workforce capacity, property availability, safeguarding requirements and local system or co-commissioning arrangements.

The opportunity represents a significant commissioning programme for specialist domestic abuse providers capable of delivering safe accommodation, community-based interventions and housing-related support to victim-survivors and their families across Herefordshire.

Never Miss a Care Sector Opportunity

From contract opportunities and framework launches to sector news and procurement updates, The Daily Round delivers daily insights designed for care providers, suppliers, and sector leaders.

Sign up to The Daily Round Daily Bulletin to receive the latest opportunities and healthcare procurement news directly to your inbox.

If you want to advertise your opportunity, please contact Jamie Peacock, Tender Specialist at advertising@dailyround.news