Decision details

Contract Variation - Reconnections Service and Sheffield Street Outreach

Decision Maker: Director of Commissioning, Inclusion and Learning

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Purpose:

To allow the variation of Framework’s contract; Sheffield Street Outreach, to include the provision of a Reconnections Service.

 

This will enable the service to provide an immediate response to people new to the streets or at risk of rough sleeping who wish to return to their home, both in the UK and overseas.

 

This will be facilitated by a payment of £3k per annum to Framework to fund accommodation and travel arrangements.  This funding is included within the budget commissioned by the Housing Independence Service.

 

Decision:

Agree the contract variation enabling Framework to deliver a Reconnections Service throughout the lifetime of their contract commencing on 1st January 2018.

Reasons for the decision:

  • Reconnection has helped both people returning abroad as well as those returning to towns and cities in the UK
  • It enhances the offer of the Sheffield Street Outreach Service, by enabling them to provide practical assistance to help people return home
  • It forms part of the Council’s commitment to end rough sleeping
  • It enables people who are rough sleeping or at risk of doing so, to access accommodation and support in a planned way
  • It enables people who are destitute and have no access to funds to be able to return to where they have a local connection
  • It reduces the potential costs to the Council of providing accommodation as part of the statutory homeless duty to people who maybe owed a duty under the Housing Act 1996.
  • The implications of not providing this service are far reaching. Many people who sleep rough will suffer from multiple health conditions, such as are also in greater danger of violence, mental health problems and drug misuse they e than the general population.  This is likely to have wider impact public services in terms of unplanned and crisis intervention for those forced to sleep on the streets. 

 

Alternative options considered:

It was considered whether to continue this service with the current providers Cathedral Archer Project (CAP).  However, following discussions with CAP, it was agreed it was more beneficial for the client, if this was managed by the Sheffield Street Outreach Service.  The primary reasons being the proactive and reactive role they deliver in response to rough sleeping and the risk of people being on the streets.  They are the first point of contact for rough sleepers.  The success of reconnections is often due to rapid response, supporting people off the streets before they become entrenched in street culture and long term rough sleeping.

Publication date: 14/09/2017

Date of decision: 12/09/2017

Accompanying Documents: