Agenda item

Re-commissioning of Rotherham's Domestic Abuse Refuge

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

 

Recommendation:

 

That Cabinet approve the recommissioning of Domestic Abuse Refuge and Temporary Accommodation Services, through a competitive procurement process, for a four-year term from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2029 with the option to extend up to 2 years.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report which set out the recommendations for the future of the Domestic Abuse Refuge Service at the end of its current contract in September 2025. The service offered temporary emergency accommodation with support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and their families fleeing their homes.

 

The Council commissioned a Domestic Abuse Refuge service. This was currently provided by a specialist local domestic abuse charity – Hopian –(formerly known as Rotherham Rise). The contract commenced on the 1

October 2021 following a competitive tender process, with a contract term

of 2 years and the option to extend by a further 1-year term resulting in the

contract expiring on 30 September 2024. An Officer Decision was taken to

award a further 1-year domestic abuse refuge contract to the same provider

on a direct basis in order to complete a review of the requirements for the

service. This extension commenced 1 October 2024 and would expire on the

30 September 2025.

 

Outcomes experienced from the Domestic Abuse Refuge Service had been overwhelmingly positive. Additionally, quotes from service users and

case studies from the service demonstrated the impact these services had had for victims/ survivors of domestic abuse and their families who had had to

flee their homes.

For the year 2023/24, 37 service users had accessed and left both Refuge

and Safer Option Properties with the majority of service users accessing the service for less than 6 months (56%). The Refuge service had also supported a high number of children - this ranged between 16 - 29 children per quarter in 2023/24.

60% of service users had a reduction in risk upon leaving the service (22

service users) and 40% of service users maintained the same risk level (15

service users). 69% of service users who left the service were able to secure and obtain their own settled accommodation upon leaving the service and for 51% of service users this was within Rotherham. Reasons for those service users who did not meet this outcome included when a service user abandoned their tenancy (2.5%), chose to return to perpetrator (5%) and they move in with friends and families (11%).

During the meeting, Cabinet Members expressed their support for the Refuge and the phenomenal work it did. They fully supported the proposals.

 

Resolved:

 

That Cabinet approve the recommissioning of Domestic Abuse Refuge and Temporary Accommodation Services, through a competitive procurement process, for a four-year term from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2029 with the option to extend up to 2 years.

 

Supporting documents: