Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to the procurement of care and support for six supported living sites for adults with mental health difficulties.

Cabinet RESOLVED

(1)       To approve inviting tenders for care and support services at six supported living sites for adults with mental health difficulties separated into 2 Lots on the basis of the pre-tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.4 of the report. The 2 Lots are set out below:

        Lot 1:

·            Mental Health Supported Living Service at 54Braemar Avenue, Wembley.

·            Mental Health Supported Living Service at 18 Saint Gabriels Road, Cricklewood. 

·            Mental Health Supported Living Service at 69 Craven Park Road, Roundwood.  

        Lot 2:

·            Mental Health Supported Living Service at 144 The Mall Kenton.

·            Mental Health Supported Living Service at 33 Essex Road Roundwood.

·            Mental Health Supported Living Service at 155 Walm Lane Cricklewood.

(2)       To approve officers evaluating the tenders referred to in (1) above on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.4 section (vi) of the report.

(3)       To delegate authority to the Corporate Director for Service Reform and Strategy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Leisure to award the contract for each of the 2 Lots identified in (1) above for the provision of care and support services at the six supported living sites for adults with mental health difficulties for a term of five (5) years with the option to extend by two (2) years (on a 5+2).

Eligible for call-in: Yes

Deadline for submission of call-in: 6pm on Monday 16 February 2026

Councillor Nerva (Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health & Leisure) introduced a report from the Corporate Director Service Reform & Strategy regarding the procurement of care and support for six supported living sites for adults with mental health difficulties.

In presenting the report, Councillor Nerva began by highlighting the importance of the service in terms of the support being provided for some of the most vulnerable residents in the borough given the protection and stability offered through the supported living sites.  Members were advised that whilst the services were not designed as permanent placements, they offered an important stepping stone to ensure that vulnerable adults had safe, structured accommodation with professional support to manage their mental health and avoid crisis or unnecessary hospital stays as part of a Recovery Model.  As part of this approach, it was pointed out that providers would be expected to work alongside residents to build confidence, resilience, and connections with the local community in order to support them in being able to move on and lead more independent lives.

In noting how the Recovery approach was designed to place the individual at the centre of their own progress and supporting them in developing the skills needed to maintain their wellbeing, members were also assured in relation to the focus on co-production which had been used to assist in shaping the way the services had been developed involving a process of engagement with residents, families, advocates and partners.  As a result, the views expressed by service users in relation to the importance in being able to maintain independence, meaningful activity, community connection and appropriate night support had been used to directly inform the service model identified.  In addition, the benefits of the approach outlined were also highlighted in terms of value for money, with supported living recognised not only as being more cost-effective than residential mental health placements in terms of reducing reliance on high-cost institutional care but also delivering better long term outcomes for residents through the provision of targeted, recovery-focused support in a community setting with residents supported to build independence, which in turn would reduce ongoing care costs and create capacity within the system.

In welcoming the assurance provided in relation to the co-production in design of the services and way in which it was felt the procurement would enable continuity in the provision, quality and long-term sustainability of essential mental health supported living services in Brent, Cabinet RESOLVED having also noted the need to ensure the approach was reflected as part of wider partnership working with local health providers towards tackling health inequalities:

(1)       To approve inviting tenders for care and support services at six supported living sites for adults with mental health difficulties separated into 2 Lots on the basis of the pre-tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.4 of the report.

The 2 Lots are set out below:

Lot 1:

·            Mental Health Supported Living Service at 54Braemar Avenue, Wembley.

·            Mental Health Supported Living Service at 18 Saint Gabriels  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13