DA0045 - Refuge Provision

The requirement is for continued domestic abuse accommodation-related support services, specifically women’s refuge accommodation for Leicester. The service will be delivered in two lots: General Refuge and BME Refuge. For General Refuge, the requirement includes an optimal of 25 units, support for women and children impacted by domestic abuse, children’s support, counselling, an increase of 2 additional units, alignment of support across Council-held safe accommodation contracts, delivery of domestic abuse training and a reduced training commitment of 2 days. The financial change is approximately £77,000 per annum. For BME Refuge, the requirement includes an optimal of 18 units for women from Black and other minoritised ethnicity communities, community outreach, immigration support, children’s support, an increase of 3 additional units, alignment of support across Council-held safe accommodation contracts, delivery of domestic abuse training and a reduced training commitment of 2 days. The financial change is approximately £90,000 per annum. A direct award is proposed due to Local Government Reorganisation uncertainty, and the wider service position involving local authorities and the Police commissioner.