VRU - Provision of Hospital Based Youth Work Services

Since 2014, City Hall has invested in embedding youth workers into London’s hospitals, first in the four Major Trauma Centres (MTCs), and subsequently (in 2018) in eight of London’s Accident & Emergency (A&Es) Units. Since 2023, this programme of work, referred to collectively as hospital-based youth work (HBYW), has been overseen and managed by the VRU, although VRU investment in HBYW extends back to its establishment in 2019. Prior to the VRU, this programme and investment had been overseen and managed by MOPAC within City Hill, aligned to the Mayor’s Police & Crime Plan (PCP). The HBYW programme represents a violence reduction initiative, heavily aligned to the VRU’s own violence reduction strategies, most notably: the trusted relationship between a young person, and their youth worker, as well as the concept of place, reaching young people where they are, and, in this case, leveraging a reachable moment in the lives of young people to break patterns of violence and harm. Indicative Contract Value: £4,633,792 ex VAT for the initial contract period, with a potential extension value of up to £4,633,792. Contract Duration: January 2027 – March 2029 (27 months), with the option to extend for a further 24 months. Service Delivery Period: April 2027 – March 2029, with the option to extend to March 2031 Description of the service The purpose of embedding these youth workers is to support children and young people who have been impacted by violence and exploitation; youth workers are there to offer a relatable stabilising presence in crisis or distress, and help young people cope and recover from the trauma of physical or mental injury and disrupt future patterns of violence and harm The service engages young people aged 11–25 who present at Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) and Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments as victims of violence or exploitation, or who are identified as being at risk of future harm. Youth workers provide emotional and practical support, advocacy, and form part of a broader safeguarding response, working alongside clinical and community partners to help young people access appropriate services and support. Support offered typically at the point of presentation may extend beyond that of the hospital, and into the community. Target audience The VRU expects the Service to proactively identify, assess, and engage, young people, aged 11-25, who present at MTCs and A&Es with injuries resulting from violence. The following eligibility criteria will apply to the young people offered the Service. A young person: Will present at one of the specific MTCs or A&Es within the scope of this service, AND; will be aged between 11 and 25 years of age; Additionally, a young person: will have been, or will be suspected as having been, the victim of interpersonal violence, OR; will have been, or will be suspected as having been, the victim of exploitation, OR; will have been, or will be suspected as having been, the victim of sexual assault, OR; will have been, or will be suspected as having been, the victim of Child Sexual Exploitation; and, or where a suspected safeguarding issue has arisen. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and the Provider(s) will be expected to use their professional judgment, sometimes in collaboration with hospital staff, to identify forms of vulnerability that warrant intervention. The commission is structured into four geographically based Lots, and whilst the principles of delivery will remain the same across all hospitals, it is important that the successful bidder(s) demonstrate(s) a strong understanding of, and connection to, the local communities and systems in which their allocated hospitals are situated. The VRU also encourages bids from partnerships and consortia, in recognition that different organisations may bring particular strengths, and local relationships and expertise across different geographical areas within a Lot. Bids may therefore be submitted by a single organisation, consortium, or partnership. Whilst the final Lot structure remains subject to approval, the commission will comprise of four Lots. The VRU intends to invest in services across 10 hospital sites. The specific outcomes which the VRU are seeking through this provision include, but are not limited to: Supporting young people to access positive opportunities and support. Disrupting cycles of violence and reducing violence and harm. Ensuring that children and young people feel and are safe. Reducing hospital (re)admissions/attendance. Reducing offending / severity of offending. Timeframe and Budget The maximum estimated fixed budget for this commission is up to £9,267,584 exclusive VAT over a 51-month contract period (2 years plus a 24-month extension), subject to confirmation of funding, internal governance and relevant approvals. The indicative value to deliver services within one hospital is £231,000.