Welfare Advice Services and Advice Network Support & Training Services

The City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council is procuring Welfare Advice Services and Advice Network Support and Training Services to support residents experiencing financial hardship, poverty and barriers to accessing support across Bradford District. The service is funded through the Crisis and Resilience Fund and aims to improve financial wellbeing, resilience and access to welfare support. The procurement comprises two lots. Lot 1 – Welfare Advice Services will provide free, independent, impartial and confidential welfare advice, casework and representation for Bradford District residents. The service will support residents with welfare benefits, debt, housing, employment, health-related welfare issues, fuel poverty, consumer matters and immigration advice within the provider's authorised competence. The Lead Provider will deliver services directly and coordinate a network of subcontracted locality-based organisations to ensure access across all five Bradford localities. The service will operate on a "no wrong front door" basis, ensuring residents receive timely support, active referrals and appropriate advocacy where required. Lot 2 – Advice Network Support and Training Services will support workforce development, quality improvement, collaboration and network coordination across the Bradford District Resilience and Advice Network. The Provider will facilitate partnership working, deliver a district-wide training programme, support consistent reporting and quality standards, strengthen safeguarding awareness and develop pathways into accredited welfare advice roles. The services will contribute to the Council's Anti-Poverty Strategy, support prevention of homelessness, improve financial resilience, increase benefit uptake, strengthen partnership working and improve outcomes for vulnerable residents across the district. The initial contract term is two years with options to extend for up to two further periods of 24 months.