Published date: 18 March 2021

Last edited date: 7 April 2021

Closed early engagement


Closing date: 1 April 2021

Contract summary

Industry

  • IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support - 72000000

  • Education and training services - 80000000

Location of contract

United Kingdom

Procurement reference

5318

Published date

18 March 2021

Closing date

1 April 2021

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection. They play a critical role in the lives of children who have or have needed a social worker both by safeguarding them and supporting their wider welfare.

The Department has recently consulted on changes to the outline of the DSL role - as set out in Annex C of the proposed Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) statutory guidance. The proposed changes outline the DSL's role in promoting the educational outcomes of children who have or have needed a social worker and clarify the type of additional support such children may need. This includes improving the visibility of this group and supporting staff to improve their engagement with learning. These changes are grounded in the findings of the Children in Need Review.

We are looking to procure a supplier to develop a set of online resources (an 'online toolkit') to support DSLs with implementing these changes. The toolkit will be hosted on existing DfE content pages on .GOV.UK.

This proposal is subject to the outcome of the consultation which closed on 4 March. The Government response to the consultation will be published within the next few months and prior to any contract beginning.

Aims of the toolkit:

The aims of the toolkit are to:

• Explain the reasoning for the proposed changes and connect them to DSLs' existing duties and understanding;
• Provide content to aid in promoting the educational outcomes of children who have or have needed a social worker.


Key deliverable stages (approximate):

Late June Contract commences

July User research and stakeholder engagement commences.

August Analysis of existing resources and research and development into user-friendly and accessible resources.

September Quality-assuring of additional good practice examples sought; drafting of resources.

October User research and stakeholder engagement concludes; toolkit finalised and prepared for publication; toolkit published.

Key criteria:
• User research skills
• User-centred design skills
• Knowledge and understanding of schools and children's services
• Digital skills
• Service design skills

In order to support the development and shaping of DfE's requirement, we will be holding supplier engagement sessions via Teams. This will take the format of 1-2-1 sessions with prospective suppliers in which we will work through a set of questions to gain further insight of the marketplace including opportunities and alternatives. To express your interest in this opportunity and sign up for our market engagement sessions that will be held on 25th March 2021, please contact Kathryn.farquhar@education.gov.uk by midday 23th March 2021.

More information

Attachments

Links

Additional text

The presentation will be made available after the session and interested providers that are unable to attend a market engagement session are asked to express their interest and complete a Market Engagement Questionnaire, available at the link below, no later than 1200 on 1 April 2021.

Participation in this engagement exercise is not a mandatory requirement for participating in any potential future procurement. However, responses received will assist DfE assess the level of interest from the market, will be used to evidence a decision as to whether to undertake a competitive procurement and will be used to determine the most suitable route to market. CONFIRMATION OF YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST AND A SUBMITTED MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT.

This Early Engagement Notice is for information and engaging with the supply market only. It is not a binding statement of intent. The Authority reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not award contract(s). The information contained in this notice, including information relating to the nature and scope of the authority's requirements, the service classification of this requirement from the list of CPV codes, is only indicative of the authority's current thinking and is neither exhaustive nor binding. The authority reserves the right at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time.

About the buyer

Contact name

Kathryn Farquhar

Address

Sanctuary Buildings,
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
England

Telephone

07557603207

Email

kathryn.farquhar@education.gov.uk