Request for Proposals - Community Connector & Support Program

Hobsons Bay City Council (HBCC) invites proposals from community service organisations in the provision of a free and confidential Community Connector & Support program (formally Crisis Intervention Service) to improve the health and wellbeing of the Hobsons Bay Community

The Connector & Support Program will:

• provide a community-based triage system, information provision, robust referral pathways and short-term intervention with follow-up support for Hobsons Bay's community members who are experiencing hardship.
• be staffed by qualified professionals trained in social work, community development, psychology or similar.
• operate by identifying trends and community needs, networking and building relationships with local key stakeholders

The successful proposal will demonstrate experience and capacity in:

• delivering a support connection, crisis intervention service or similar, including knowledge of the key issues facing people experiencing hardship across Hobsons Bay.
• working formally and collaboratively with other agencies and have current membership on local networks such as Hobsons Bay Interagency and Hobsons Bay Emergency Relief networks
• responding to people experiencing hardship and ability to deliver a high-quality support service using best practice principles, with a customer led response to individual needs

The successful proposal will be able to demonstrate:

• well established relationships with local neighbourhood houses and community services in the municipality and a strong connection in the community service sector that focuses on wellbeing, ensuring fair and equitable intake for service users
• an understanding of the need for and importance of a locally delivered service

The proposed contract term will be for an initial term of 2 years, with one 12-month option to extend.