Award of Fresh Start Service to Airedale Voluntary Drug and Alcohol Agency Limited by Sheffield City Council

About

Sheffield City Council awarded a contract to Airedale Voluntary Drug and Alcohol Agency Limited for the Fresh Start Service, which supports women who have previously had children removed to make sustainable changes addressing multiple and complex risks such as substance misuse, mental health, domestic abuse, parenting capacity, adverse childhood experiences, and unsafe housing conditions.

The service aims to intervene when women have no children in their care, helping them take control of their lives and develop new skills and responses, while encouraging partner agencies like criminal justice and drug and alcohol services to think differently and set aside previous assessments.

Through direct interventions and/or facilitating access to partner agencies, the service addresses drug and alcohol misuse, loss and grief, relationships, health needs, education and employment, housing, self-reflection, and other relevant services.

The contract, valued at £176,000, was awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender through the Council's delegated approval procedures.