Staffordshire County Council Awards £6.2 Million Domestic Abuse Support Contracts

Staffordshire County Council has awarded three contracts worth a combined £6.22 million for the delivery of Domestic Abuse Support in Safe Accommodation (DASSA) services across the county.

The contracts will support the council in meeting its statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, providing specialist support for victims of domestic abuse and their families living in safe accommodation. Services include advocacy, specialist domestic abuse support, housing-related support, children’s services, counselling and therapy, financial and legal advice, and support for victims with complex needs.

The contracts have been awarded through a direct award under the Light Touch Regime, with the council stating that local needs assessments and market analysis identified only three organisations within Staffordshire capable of delivering these specialist services with appropriate safe accommodation. The council also cited the importance of maintaining stability and continuity of refuge provision in line with Government statutory guidance.

The three contracts, valued at a combined £6,218,808 excluding VAT over the maximum four-year term, have been awarded as follows:

• HONEYCOMB CHARITABLE SERVICES LTD – £2,178,804 (excluding VAT)
• THE STAFFORDSHIRE PATHWAY PROJECT – £2,008,420 (excluding VAT)
• STAFFORDSHIRE WOMEN’S AID – £2,031,584 (excluding VAT)

Each contract is expected to commence on 1 April 2027 and run for an initial three-year period until 31 March 2030, with the option to extend for a further 12 months until 31 March 2031. The earliest contract signature date is 1 February 2027.

The services will support both Staffordshire residents and individuals relocating from outside the county, with safe accommodation placements continuing to be coordinated through the national Routes to Support platform.