Decision details

Agree to Gloucester City Council awarding a contract to People, Potential, Possibilities (P3) for delivery of a Navigator Service for rough sleepers, following a procurement process through the countywide Community and Accommodation Based Support (CABS) framework.

The Gloucestershire Strategic Housing Partnership has been awarded funding through the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Rough Sleeping Initiative for the delivery of a “Navigator Service” in Gloucester and Cheltenham until 31 March 2022. Since February 2021 Gloucester City Council has been the host organisation for the countywide Housing Partnership Programme Team, and acts as lead contractor on behalf of the Partnership for countywide rough sleeping interventions.

This decision follows an invitation to tender issued to the County Council’s Community and Accommodation Based Services (CABS) framework, which is available for use by all Gloucestershire local authorities and public agencies. A total of five suppliers had an opportunity to respond to this tender having previously been accepted to the framework. An evaluation panel including representatives from Gloucester City Council and the wider Partnership has concluded that the preferred bid was submitted by P3 and has recommended that an award be made to that supplier. The total value of the contract is £547,314 from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2027. Thisincludes a break clause after 6 months and then every 12 months thereafter, which is subject to confirmation of continued funding from the MHCLG; ongoing evidence of the need for and suitability of the service; and demonstration of satisfactory performance. 

The Navigator Service is intended to undertake a rapid assessment of individuals’ needs and to coordinate the delivery of a multi-agency support package by signposting and organising referrals into services across housing; mental health; drugs and alcohol; and adult social care. Rough sleepers accessing the Navigator service are provided with a personalised support plan intended to enable them to sustain a decision to move away from life on the streets. The provider of this service provides two Housing Navigators and a team leader/coordinator. Adult social work; drugs and alcohol; and mental health specialists are seconded to the Navigator team from the relevant agencies.

The service specification has been prepared by officers from Gloucester City Council and other partners and was scrutinised and endorsed by the countywide Partnership’s Oversight Board, which includes representation from all Partner organisations. Contracts for the existing Navigator Service are held by Gloucestershire County Council and expire on 30 September 2021. The Housing Partnership has agreed that the countywide Programme Team should manage these services going forward.

A tender process has been completed according to procurement regulations and P3 have been identified as the preferred bidder following evaluation and moderation.

We could issue a contract for 6-months only based on funding already confirmed by MHCLG: however, we considered that given the requirement to identify premises that this would generate significant risks and would problematise recruitment and staff retention, with a negative impact on the performance and quality of the service. 

We could not provide a Navigator Service in Gloucestershire: however, there is a strong consensus that integrating health, social care and housing interventions is crucial to enable long-term rough sleepers to move into settled accommodation. Providing a single access point through the Navigator service has clear benefits for individual users and for effective partnership working between agencies. Reducing rough sleeping is the primary objective of the government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative through which this funding is provided. The funding is provided specifically for the Navigator service and is non-fungible.

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