Award

Evaluation of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs)

DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

19 Mar 2018 at 12:21

Award Notice
Tender

15 Sep 2017 at 09:19

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department For Education is conducting an evaluation of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs) aimed at enhancing adoption services across several local authorities in England. The tender, titled "Evaluation of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs)", falls under the research and development consultancy services category and was published on 15th September 2017. The open procurement method allows interested parties to submit their expressions of interest until the end of the tender period on 29th September 2017. The contract is set to commence on 31st January 2018 and conclude on 31st March 2022.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialised in research methodologies related to adoption support services, organisational mergers, and market development. Those with a strong background in qualitative and quantitative research are well-suited to compete, as the evaluation requires comprehensive data analysis and stakeholder engagement. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, particularly those possessing expertise in economic analysis and family-oriented research methodologies.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Evaluation of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs)

Notice Description

RAAs will replace local authority adoption services with a larger regional agency covering several local authorities. RAAs will recruit adopters, match looked after children with adopters, and provide support to adopters and their children. The rationale is that RAAs, where services are delivered on a greater scale with more innovative approaches to practice, will have real potential to improve outcomes for children. The four challenges that RAAs will aim to improve are: (i) The timeliness of matching; (ii) The recruitment of adopters; (iii) Adoption support; and (iv) Inefficiencies in the system. The aim of the evaluation is to assess the impact of RAAs on improving the delivery of adoption services, with the potential to improve outcomes for children. Research shows us that delay and instability in care are detrimental to a child's future outcomes. It also increases the likelihood of disruption in the future. Findings will be used to ensure that future investment is targeted correctly and policies are developed in the most effective way. The overarching research questions for the evaluation are: i. How successful are RAAs in meeting the aims of: speeding up matching; improving adopter recruitment; improving adoption support services; and reducing inefficiencies of process and timeliness? ii. How do the operating models of RAAs support the delivery of services and ensure adoptive families receive the services they need in a timely and constructive way? iii. What are the strengths, opportunities and risks of the different RAA models? iv. What are the costs for local authorities? We anticipate that this research is likely to be based on a multi-method approach, and will include the following three strands to answer the research questions: 1. Longitudinal analysis of statistics collected for SFRs and Adoption Leadership Board (ALB) data to assess the short, medium and long-term performance of RAAs against the intended objectives of: reducing the time a child waits to be matched, improving adopter recruitment and the cost savings to local authorities. 2. Longitudinal qualitative research in RAAs with a range of key stakeholders to understand the relationship between RAAs and LAs, how well the process has been prepared for and implemented, identify enablers and barriers and identify early impact of the RAA. 3. Collection of cost data and management information to document the structure of the staff teams involved in RAAs, the total expenditure on these resources, and information on the spend on external adoption support services. Expressions of interest will be assessed using the following criteria: * Understanding the Department's requirements; * Knowledge and experience of research in this area, for example, adoption support services, organisational mergers, and market development; * Experience of the methodologies to be used, including undertaking research with families. Evidence and experience of economic skills and collecting costs data;

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-d1cf769d-fd5e-4abc-9062-99f5f95fd012
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/43a09337-2a17-441f-9824-339dfedb506f
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£354,607 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Mar 20187 years ago
Submission Deadline
29 Sep 2017Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Dec 20178 years ago
Contract Period
30 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2021 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contact Name
Maura Lantrua
Contact Email
maura.lantrua@education.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S1 2FJ
Post Town
Sheffield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ECORYS

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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