Provision of Independent Approved Premises

Concepts

• probation services
• moj
• provision of independent approved premises
• premises services
• independent approved premises
• service fee
• high risk people
• early engagement
• high-risk
• vital element

Location

United Kingdom:

Description

The MoJ wish to conduct early engagement with the market to further shape its requirements and assess the viability of the market delivering the provision of Independent Approved Premises (IAP). Approved Premises (APs) provide critical community-based provision to accommodate and manage high risk people on probation (PoP) on release from custody. Provision of accommodation on release is a key factor in reducing reoffending and supporting transition into the community whilst reducing the need for prison places. IAPs are run by independent contracted organisations. Providers charge a monthly contract for service fee for the 24-hour, 365 day Approved Premises services: their staff, service user costs, premises and facilities management. This early call to the market is to gauge an appetite for the delivery of such services as well as identify opportunities and ways to overcome potential challenges, the MoJ welcomes discussions and looks to hold multiple events. The current IAP supply base consists of 15 IAPs located across England. 10 of the IAP contracts will expire in 2024. Collectively the 10 IAPs provide 224 beds. The MoJ intends to explore the market interest in a competition for the future provision of these services in England and Wales.

Total Quantity or Scope

II.2.4) Description of the procurement: (nature and quantity of works, supplies or services or indication of needs and requirements) Approved Premises (APs) provide accommodation for a, high-risk (male) and medium risk complex need cases (female); person on probation (PoP) upon release to support their safe transition into the community, while providing a valuable level of public protection. The key purpose of APs is to allow Probation Service staff to closely monitor and manage high-risk and complex behaviours while supporting them in reintegrating into the community. Priority is given to those who pose a risk of serious harm to children, known victims and the public, as well as to themselves. The model length of stay for a PoP is 3 months. However, a range of factors will influence the duration, including the ability to safely progress an individual on into subsequent community or supported accommodation. There are currently 105 AP/IAPs operating across England and Wales: • 89 are operated by the Probation Service • 15 are Independent Approved Premises, predominantly operated by the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector IAPs work with the highest-risk PoP and are a vital element in public protection arrangements. Effective security is essential for public protection, for PoP management, and for the safety of staff and residents alike. They offer a level of contact, support and supervision that exists nowhere else in the probation service with the aim of protecting the public by reducing the likelihood of re-offending. These premises provide enhanced supervision through 24-hour a day staffing, night-time curfews, compliance with consistently enforced rules and a programme of supervision, support and monitoring, which addresses offending behaviour and the reduction of risk. Residents are seen daily, and staff become involved in the residents’ lives to a high degree; giving advice, offering support, exercising control and supervision and liaising with the rest of the service and a wide range of agencies. The capacity to engage directly with a wide range of Criminal Justice stakeholders – Courts, Probation, Prisons, Police – is therefore essential. This intensive level of contact is what enables IAP staff to be aware of residents’ actions and changes in their behaviour in a way that no other intervention can and allows a high level of monitoring of residents’ well-being. There are two key elements to the provision of an IAP: The first element is the provision and maintenance of a ‘fit for purpose’ residential unit which, will require the relevant licenses to operate as such; The second element is the delivery of the 24-hour support service. The 10 IAPs in scope for this procurement collectively deliver 224 bed placements for high-risk complex cases on release from custody. Further information on AP’s can be found under PSI 32/2014 located here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/probation-instructions-pis To register early interest and ensure you are added to our mailing list, please notify us at iaps-bsc@justice.gov.uk The first national virtual engagement session will take place on 9th January 2023 at 13:30. Further supplier one to one meetings will take place during week commencing 16th January 2023 and week commencing 23rd January 2023 Additional information: Please note this procurement will follow the Light Touch Regime

CPV Codes

• 75231240 - Probation services

Other Information

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