Accord Equality & Fairness Annual Report 2018
Managing our Contractors and Consultants
In terms of working with our contractors and consultants, we have a contractors and consultants framework which is
reviewed every 4 years. The selection process is two stage.
The support team provided the intensive interventions needed to help individuals
transition from a life on the streets to one in a settled home and the Community Housing
Officers have worked to provide accommodation and worked with the support team on
advice and guidance on tenancy sustainment. There are a number of criteria headings that they are scored on; performance, quality and cost control but also those
listed below reflect their commitment to equality and fairness:
Aspect of quality, technical merit
and/or customer service
Specific information required
Written Method Statement. The Client requires the Tenderer
to demonstrate how customers
will be dealt with, approaches
to vulnerable tenants and the
processes and procedures for
dealing with and rectifying defects.
The tender is expected to provide
evidence that the organisation is
committed to following Equality &
Diversity principles (that will apply
to the services being procured) and
implements appropriate policies to
secure those principles. Equal opportunities policy. Confirmation of who is responsible
for Equality & Diversity within the
organisation, their role and how
this is communicated and evidence
around Equality & Diversity training
and how this is rolled out and
managed across the organisation.
Accord’s in-house architect team InDesign is also working on a project known as the ‘big
sister’ house, looking at future-proofing fuel costs, increasing energy efficiency and using
Assistive Technologies to enable domiciliary care to be provided in the family home,
reducing the need to move into care.
The Tenderer is expected to confirm
that it supports Accord’s Modern
Slavery objectives. Completes A Modern Slavery
Questionnaire . If the contractor/ consultant does
not have a policy they must confirm
that they will agree to the principles
of Accord’s policy.
At LoCaL Homes, we are pursuing the idea of ‘pods’ that support more flexible home
adaptations solutions, by manufacturing small extensions designed to support an
occupant with disabilities without extensive home alterations or disruption.
The Tenderer is expected to
demonstrate how it will work with
Accord to support its residents
enter employment, training and
enterprise. Written Method Statement including
their offering and timescales. The Client requires the tenderer
to be specific around what
types of employment, training
and enterprise opportunities it
proposes to offer.
The Tenderer should illustrate the
company resources to fulfil the role
and offerings. Full CV of company resource who
will be responsible for delivering
employment, training and
enterprise offerings. The Tenderer is expected to list
venues, facilities, resources and
any benefits in kind as part of its
proposal.
22
23
We are supporting adapted design to suit the needs of people with disabilities. Accord
is also currently supporting a disabled woman who needs her home adapting, using
InDesign with costs reduced to the user.
The Tenderer’s proposed approach
to customer care at 12 month
defects inspection (both to the
customers, visitors and their
neighbours).
Building new and adapting existing homes
Local Authorities are now adopting three levels of housing standards to cater for
disabilities: M4 (1), (2) and (3). We design to the most appropriate level to suit individual
needs.
Client’s requirements for the
Contract
It is a trailblazer project in advance of the West Midlands Combined Authority
Homelessness Taskforce, and the Housing First principles are now being rolled out across
the region. Following on from Housing First, Accord has set up the New Beginnings project
Street to provide accommodation and support for street sex workers.
The first being the pre-qualification stage. Those selected are shortlisted to go through to the tender stage.
Case Study
Housing First
25 previous rough sleepers in Walsall have been supported to move into permanent
accommodation through the collaboration of the Care & Support and Communities
Directorates in conjunction with Walsall Council.