WCC Market Testing for the provision of a Framework for Supported Lodgings for Warwickshire Young People and Separated Children aged 16 - 21

Current provision Warwickshire County Council (WCC) has a blend of externally commissioned and in-house supported lodgings provision. The in-house provision currently relies on a young person in need of accommodation and support due to family breakdown or leaving care identifying an adult/family they would like to live with such as a relative, former foster carer, family friend or a friend's parents.

The necessary checks are completed by the Leaving Care Team before the arrangement is approved. The commissioned service is responsible for recruiting, inducting, training, and supporting hosts to provide accommodation and support to young people in a safe home environment. Providers offer support, on-going training and supervision to the host(s) and support to the young person throughout the duration of the placement.

Why do WCC want to engage with the market? The current framework for supported lodgings is due to expire on 31st July 2026. WCC is keen not only to continue to provide supported lodgings as an option for young people needing accommodation and support and increase the numbers of hosts, but also to explore how such services could be extended to include:

• Emergency out of hours/overnight placements
• Short term emergency accommodation for young people in crisis and at risk of homelessness pending assessment and/or a longer-term solution
• An enhanced and/or flexible, tiered model to provide for young people with higher support needs
• Parent and child placements
• Sibling placements.

The council would welcome the opportunity to engage with providers who can demonstrate experience in this market and are able to offer their services to the young people of Warwickshire where they need them within the county. There is occasionally the need for supported lodgings in other areas and interest from national providers would therefore also be welcome.