---
title: "Evaluation of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs)"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-d1cf769d-fd5e-4abc-9062-99f5f95fd012"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-d1cf769d-fd5e-4abc-9062-99f5f95fd012"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d1cf769d-fd5e-4abc-9062-99f5f95fd012.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d1cf769d-fd5e-4abc-9062-99f5f95fd012.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION"
published: "2018-03-19"
---

# Evaluation of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs)

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-d1cf769d-fd5e-4abc-9062-99f5f95fd012

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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;

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/43a09337-2a17-441f-9824-339dfedb506f |
| 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 |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Mar 2018 |
| Submission deadline | 29 Sep 2017 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 5 Dec 2017 |
| Contract period | 30 Jan 2018 - 31 Dec 2021 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £354,607 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION |
| Locality | SHEFFIELD |
| Post town | Sheffield |
| Postcode | S1 2FJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE3 South Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE32 Sheffield |
| Local authority | Sheffield |
| Electoral ward | City |
| Westminster constituency | Sheffield Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ECORYS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

## Release History

- 19 Mar 2018 at 12:21 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/43a09337-2a17-441f-9824-339dfedb506f
- 15 Sep 2017 at 09:19 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4ea202e7-4f96-4229-939d-bc35dcd7b4d6

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/43a09337-2a17-441f-9824-339dfedb506f
  19th March 2018 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4ea202e7-4f96-4229-939d-bc35dcd7b4d6
  15th September 2017 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/8a6a7025-c0ec-4964-8fbf-e955d5299c4b
  Evaluation of Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs)
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/7998d73d-74c6-4c20-8fef-41fe900e519d
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/4d18c567-93b6-45a1-b888-5c4a9a874438
  Signed Contract

## Provenance

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