---
title: "Domestic Abuse Refuge and Refuge Based Support Services for Women and Children"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-054893"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054893"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054893.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054893.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-02-03"
---

# Domestic Abuse Refuge and Refuge Based Support Services for Women and Children

Buyer: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-054893

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## Summary

Durham County Council is leading a comprehensive procurement initiative for "Domestic Abuse Refuge and Refuge Based Support Services for Women and Children". This tender is categorised under the healthcare and social work services industry. It entails commissioning services aimed at providing temporary, safe accommodation in four geographical locations within County Durham: North, South, East, and Central areas. The procurement process is conducted under an open and competitive flexible procedure, with a focus on a light-touch regime. The tender involves multiple lots, allowing suppliers to bid for up to two geographical locations, with each lot specifying the number of units required. Key dates include the planning phase initiated on 6th August 2025, followed by the tender period closing on 3rd November 2025, and awards finalised by 10th December 2025. Contracts for awarded services are effective from 1st April 2026 for an initial three-year period, with options for a 24-month extension, subject to available funding.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for service providers, especially those experienced in delivering trauma-informed domestic abuse support. Businesses with expertise in multi-agency collaboration and a survivor-led approach will be well-suited to the requirements of this contract. Moreover, the emphasis on community engagement and continuous improvement favours organisations that can innovatively contribute to the wellbeing and recovery of victim-survivors. Ideal candidates include large-scale providers accustomed to handling complex service delivery and organisations dedicated to the provision of social welfare services. The flexible procurement procedure opens doors for both SMEs and larger entities, making this an attractive opportunity for various scales of operations capable of meeting tender demands.

## Notice

Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations. The aim of the service is to provide temporary safe accommodation within a refuge setting to victim-survivors of domestic abuse (and any dependent children/young people that are accommodated) that improves the safety, harm reduction, recovery and wellbeing of the victim-survivors. The commissioned service(s) should have a strong focus on partnership working and community engagement. We welcome proposals from experienced providers who can demonstrate a commitment to survivor-led approaches, multi-agency collaboration, and continuous improvement. The successful provider will play a vital role in helping us create a safe and supportive environment for those impacted by domestic abuse. The opportunity is issued as multiple Lot contract based on geographical locations. Suppliers can bid for a maximum of two geographical areas/lots. Geographical Area Number of Units Lot 1 North Durham 9 Lot 2 South Durham 8 Lot 3 East Durham 6 Lot 4 Central Durham 9 It should be noted that whilst premises that exceed the minimum required number of units detailed above may bid/be successful in contract award, the total annual settlement (the annual contract value) will remain as specified in the Tender documents. Permitted Changes to Contract: Funding for these services is reliant upon the continued availability of funds from both the Council's core budget and Domestic Abuse Act Part 4 funding received from the MHCLG. Funding amounts and sources are uncertain over the contract term and therefore DCC may need to invoke either contract modifications or termination as permitted under the relevant sections of the contract terms and conditions. At the Council's discretion, should the Council acquire further funding, including from different sources, additional services may be required and may slightly differ to that detailed above but will fall under the remit of domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services. The Council reserves the right to apply inflationary uplifts to the contract value at its sole discretion and will be based upon the availability of funding and commissioning priorities. The Council reserves the right to modify the service specification if new legislation and/or guidance re. domestic abuse refuges and/or refuge-based support services is published by the Government. If a successful bidder's contract is terminated, either at the Council's or the provider's discretion, the council has the discretion to approach one or all of the other successful bidders to offer them the opportunity to deliver refuge and refuge-based support services in this geographical area OR go to market for a new supplier.

### Lot Information

North Durham

Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service in North Durham that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations. The number of units required in North Durham is 9.

Renewal: The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval.

South Durham

Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service in South Durham that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations. The number of units required in South Durham is 8.

Renewal: The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval.

East Durham

Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service in East Durham that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations. The number of units required in East Durham is 6.

Renewal: The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval.

Central Durham

Durham County Council is seeking to commission a comprehensive and trauma-informed domestic abuse refuges and refuge support service in Central Durham that meets the diverse needs of women (and their dependent children if applicable) affected by domestic abuse and who are seeking safe accommodation from high-risk domestic abuse situations. The number of units required in Central Durham is 9.

Renewal: The contract is being let with the options to extend for one period of up to 24 months each, from the contract end date, subject to Commissioner and budget approval.

### Planning Information

Seeking opinions from providers of this service to understand gaps in service. Teams discussions are available for discussion to remove barriers for SMEs. Questionnaires should be returned via the OPEN portal.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009288-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 3 Nov 2025 |
| Future notice date | 8 Sep 2025 |
| Award date | 17 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 |
| Recurrence | 2030-04-01 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £4,115,875 |
| Lots value | £4,115,875 |
| Awards value | £4,013,856 |
| Contracts value | £4,013,856 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | DURHAM |
| Post town | Durham |
| Postcode | DH1 5WB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham |
| Local authority | County Durham |
| Electoral ward | Framwellgate and Newton Hall |
| Westminster constituency | City of Durham |
| Delivery location | TLC14 Durham |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 3 |
| Supplier names | HARBOUR SUPPORT SERVICES; THIRTEEN HOUSING GROUP; WEAR VALLEY WOMEN'S AID |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85000000 - Health and social work services

## Release History

- 3 Feb 2026 at 09:44 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009288-2026
- 17 Dec 2025 at 13:33 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083854-2025
- 15 Sep 2025 at 11:34 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056536-2025
- 6 Aug 2025 at 13:47 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046575-2025
- 13 Jun 2025 at 13:24 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032306-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009288-2026
  3rd February 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083854-2025
  17th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056536-2025
  15th September 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046575-2025
  6th August 2025 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032306-2025
  13th June 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- www.open-uk.org
  Tender documents can be accessed free of charge at www.open-uk.org under the project title 'Domestic Abuse Refuge and Refuge Based Support Services for Women and Children'

## Notice URLs

- http://wvwa.co.uk
- http://www.durham.gov.uk/
- http://www.myharbour.org.uk
- http://www.thirteengroup.co.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054893. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054893.json.