URL: https://westsussex.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2330

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning (Cllr Jacquie Russell)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The County Council’s Young People’s Supported Housing Pathway service provides a safe accommodation option for 16/17-year-olds and young people aged 18-25 who are in and on the edge of care and homeless young people. It enables the local authority to meet its statutory responsibilities and also satisfies the housing duties held by the District & Borough Councils    An in-depth review and analysis have evidenced that current service provision does not fully meet need or provide the conditions for sustainable change, meaning young people are vulnerable to becoming homeless and less economically active in later life. Historically the County Council has commissioned and funded these services. However, reviewing the service provided the opportunity to undertake collaborative design with key stakeholders.  This has resulted in the proposal for a new co-produced service to be procured, jointly commissioned and funded with the District and Borough Councils.   The intention for the new service is that multiple providers will be awarded contracts to offer supported accommodation for young people at a range of locations.  As well has having a place to live there will a package of support services, delivered by the County Council and key partners to support young people to find meaningful employment and develop the life skills to move to independent adulthood.   Authority is therefore sought to launch a procurement process to commission a new supported accommodation service to provide an effective housing pathway which prevents future homelessness and addresses health, wellbeing and economic inequalities. The new services will deliver a West Sussex wide offer to support children we care for, care leavers and those young people who are homeless or at risk of immediate or future homelessness.

Content: The County Council’s Young People’s Supported Housing Pathway service provides a safe accommodation option for 16/17-year-olds and young people aged 18-25 who are in and on the edge of care and homeless young people. It enables the local authority to meet its statutory responsibilities and also satisfies the housing duties held by the District & Borough Councils    An in-depth review and analysis have evidenced that current service provision does not fully meet need or provide the conditions for sustainable change, meaning young people are vulnerable to becoming homeless and less economically active in later life. Historically the County Council has commissioned and funded these services. However, reviewing the service provided the opportunity to undertake collaborative design with key stakeholders.  This has resulted in the proposal for a new co-produced service to be procured, jointly commissioned and funded with the District and Borough Councils.   The intention for the new service is that multiple providers will be awarded contracts to offer supported accommodation for young people at a range of locations.  As well has having a place to live there will a package of support services, delivered by the County Council and key partners to support young people to find meaningful employment and develop the life skills to move to independent adulthood.   Authority is therefore sought to launch a procurement process to commission a new supported accommodation service to provide an effective housing pathway which prevents future homelessness and addresses health, wellbeing and economic inequalities. The new services will deliver a West Sussex wide offer to support children we care for, care leavers and those young people who are homeless or at risk of immediate or future homelessness. The Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning has approved:   (1)     The commencement of a procurement process to secure multiple providers to deliver a Supported Accommodation and Housing Pathway service using the light-touch procurement regime.  The services are expected to start mobilising from May 2026 with the contracts expected to commence 1st October 2026.The contracts are due to run for a period of 5 years with the potential to extend for up to a maximum of 4 years. (2)     The delegation of authority to the Assistant Director (Acting) Transformation, Data & Commissioning, to award contracts to successful bidders on conclusion of the procurement process, in accordance with the evaluation and tender requirements and within the financial parameters set out in this report and to extend the contracts subject to satisfactory performance and delivery. None declared.

Date of Decision: December 22, 2025