Decision details

The reason for the decision are:

The GMIRS Accommodation contract was awarded to Ingeus in November 2021 following a formal open tender process.

Since the beginning of the contract, referrals into the GM Accommodation Service have been significantly more than those forecast as part of the tender process. The tender advertised a monthly referral of 170. This led to oversized keyworker caseloads meaning that cases are not being satisfactorily managed. The staff morale is low with significant periods of absence due to work stress placing further pressure on the service

The GMCA and HMPPS agreed that the budget for 23/24 would be increased to take account of the demand for the service. (See attached decision notice) The extra capacity allowed greater integration with Probation with keyworkers in Probation Offices with at least weekly outreach at Wellbeing Hubs and Women’s Centres.

Moreover, a specialist was recruited to support the CAS-3 move on and the most complex cases i.e. arson and sex offenders. It has also been recognised a need for more strategic capacity and the extra funding will support a local partnerships manager to contribute to regional discussions with GMPS Homeless Prevention Team, GMCA, Prison and LAs in the whole system response to homelessness. These additional have been well received by colleagues in Prison and GM Probation.

The demand of the service has continued above the tendered levels into 2023/24. We have seen an uptick in the last quarter. We propose maintaining the increased level of staffing in order to ensure individuals are provided housing advice and guidance upon release. The housing environment is increasingly challenging with the lack of affordable homes and caseloads need to allow staff time to work flexibly. The extra funding brings 12 frontline workers and the manager. The total frontline service is 23 for an active caseload of 1400 (as of November 23).

Moreover, it has been identified that the unsentenced cohort was missing from the original scope of the service. Therefore, HMPPS has awarded GMCA and GMPS funding to deliver the accommodation support service but for the unsentenced including those on remand.

The number of people on remand has significantly increased in 23/24 and there is currently no provision for the cohort. This is considered a priority to ensure that housing issues do not escalate if they are not resolved on reception not custody. As an example ensuring arrears don’t build up preventing homelessness in the future.

Ingeus will deliver the same accommodation service to this extended cohort of individuals including women.

The funding envelope for 2023/24 has been agreed up to £100,315

For 2024/25 the funding will be broken down as follows:

Base rate: £794,524
Additionality for increased demand: £460,808
Remand (male estate): £248,177
Remand (women’s estate): £87,042
Total 2024/25: £796,027

To increase the Greater Manchester Integrated Rehabilitation Support (GMIRS) budget for 23/24 by £100,315 to provide mobilisation for additional
accommodation support for the unsentenced cohort including those on
remand and on reception into custody.

To increase the 24/25 budget for the GMIRS Accommodation contract by £796,027 to a total of £1,590,551.18 to increase the capacity of the service based on the ongoing demand and to include support for the unsentenced cohort including those on remand and on reception into custody.


Total Variation: £896,342