Published date: 16 November 2021

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 20 April 2021, 11:59pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

United Kingdom

Value of contract

£1,400,000 to £1,600,000

Procurement reference

DFERPPU/20-21/002

Published date

16 November 2021

Closing date

20 April 2021

Closing time

11:59pm

Contract start date

2 August 2021

Contract end date

31 July 2029

Contract type

Supply contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (below threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

No

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

Expressions of interest are sought to undertake a large-scale longitudinal research study to investigate the needs, experiences and outcomes of children who have left care on an Adoption Order (AO) and Special Guardianship Order (SGO). The aim of this research is to provide an updated understanding of the needs, experiences and long-term outcomes for children leaving care through these routes. The Department wishes this study to be a seminal piece of research that provides a detailed understanding of the complexity that lies behind outcomes for children and young people leaving care permanently, how these affect and impact on a full range of outcomes, how these change over time, and how they vary between different routes to permanence.

We anticipate that the study will develop from a feasibility stage that will consider and identify the best approach that will deliver on the aims and objectives; explore the availability and accessibility of the data; and establish an appropriate sampling frame.

A central plank of the study will be a mixed methods longitudinal survey of children that left care on an AO or SGO and their families/ carers, following children and young people over five years. It is envisaged that the first wave, and at least one subsequent wave, will be wholly face to face with the remaining waves a mixture of face to face, phone, and web survey (dependant on the situation with Covid-19). We also envisage supporting the longitudinal surveys with qualitative interviews with children and families; analysis of case files; and qualitative interviews with local authority and Regional Adoption Agency stakeholder.

We anticipate that project design and set up will commence around August 2021 with the feasibility stage needing to report and complete by the end of March 2022. Subject to future Spending Review funding, the mainstage piloting and fieldwork would begin Summer/ Autumn 2022. This would also be subject to agreed design and approach with the appointed contractor.

Further details can be found on the attached EOI advert.

**Update 16/04/2021 ** - Clarification Question: (for information)

Q) Clarification has been requested on what the DfE considers to be long-term outcomes.

A) In terms of long-term outcomes, our current thinking is that the focus would be a combination of chronological age and years since placement. We think there would be particular interest in tracking progress into adolescence, although this may vary depending on the age at placement.
At the Invitation to Tender stage, we would encourage bidders to explore the longer-term outcomes that they feel are most relevant and interesting.

**Further update 19/04/2021 ** - Clarification Question: (for information)

Q) Clarification has been requested on the focus on the research.

A) The research will focus on England only.

More information

Previous notice about this procurement

LONGITUDINAL STUDY: TRACKING THE NEEDS, EXPERIENCES AND OUTCOMES OF CHILDREN LEAVING CARE THROUGH PERMANENCE OR SPECIAL GUARDIANSHIP

  • Opportunity
  • Published 29 March 2021, last edited 19 April 2021

Attachments

Additional text

We expect this project is not suitable for SMEs or VSOs, unless as part of a suitable consortium.

Additional email address for contact regarding this EOI: Anna.Wales@education.gov.uk

The estimated contract values stated in this advert indicate the total project value, including the feasibility stage, design and set-up.

Award information

Awarded date

29 October 2021

Contract start date

29 October 2021

Contract end date

30 September 2028

Total value of contract

£1,513,978

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

ECORYS UK LIMITED

Address

Albert House,92-93 Edward Street
BIRMINGHAM
West Midlands
B1 2RA
GB

Reference

Companies House number: 01650169

Value of contract

£1,513,978

Supplier is SME?

No

Supplier is VCSE?

No

Attachments

About the buyer

Contact name

Maura Lantrua

Address

2 St. Paul's Place
Sheffield
S1 2FJ
England

Email

Maura.Lantrua@education.gov.uk