FLOATING SUPPORT

Floating support also known as ‘Outreach services’  is a commissioned social care service providing practical, emotional, and housing-related support to individuals living independently in the community.

Local authorities commission floating support to support people with mental health needs, learning disabilities, homelessness experience, or other vulnerabilities, helping them maintain tenancies, access services, and live safely and independently.

Unlike employed roles, floating support is typically commissioned through public sector procurement routes, including Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPSs), Frameworks, and call-off contracts.

Commissioned services must be delivered through a properly structured organisation with appropriate governance and safeguarding arrangements.

Floating support contracts are often delivered by:

• Organisations founded or led by former social workers delivering community-based services
• Nurses and allied health professionals delivering outreach support
• Support workers delivering non-accommodation-based services
• Mental health outreach services
• Charities and CICs delivering preventative or recovery-focused support
• Community organisations supporting tenancy sustainment
• Start-ups and pilot services transitioning into commissioned work
• Providers delivering short-term, non-residential support

Many floating support providers begin with small teams or limited geographic coverage, rather than large operational infrastructures.

Floating support opportunities are rarely advertised publicly.

Instead, local authorities typically:

• Establish a DPS or multi-provider framework
• Approve eligible providers to join
• Issue call-off packages as service needs arise
  

Call-off packages are usually issued for:

• A defined cohort of service users
• A specific geographic area
• An agreed delivery model and contract duration
  

Providers approved on the relevant DPS or framework are invited to respond to these opportunities.

Because floating support contracts sit within procurement systems rather than job listings, many capable organisations and professionals are already delivering similar services before encountering a formal commissioning route.

For many providers, applying to a DPS or responding to a call-off represents the first structured step into council-commissioned work.

BidElevate supports floating support providers at different stages, including first-time bidders.

Support is tailored to the opportunity and typically includes:

• A discovery call to assess eligibility, service fit, and readiness
• Identification of suitable DPSs, frameworks, or live call-off opportunities
• Management of DPS or framework applications where required
• Structuring and drafting written responses where word-count questions apply
• Coordination of subject matter expert (SME) input and operational evidence
• Submission management or support through the relevant portal
  

Providers may:

• Be matched to appropriate opportunities, or
• Approach BidElevate with a specific DPS or call-off they wish to pursue
  

Work is scoped and quoted in advance..