Social work and related services

Tender description

The DfE is pleased to announce that bids are now open for 2 parallel procurement exercises to develop the What Works Centre (WWC) for Children's Social Care: 1. the first for an ‘incubator’ to develop and test a WWC model; and 2. the second for a research partner to start the evidence synthesis and generation of new research. The WWC will foster a culture of evidence-based practice in children's social care. It will be an ambitious project, independent of government, that will develop a strong evidence base around effective interventions and practice systems in children's social care, and support their implementation by practitioners and decision makers. Its goal will be to improve outcomes for children and their families by supporting translation of evidence into better practice on the ground. The closing date for bids is 17:00 on 5.5.2017. Completed bids and any questions should be directed to: CSC.WHATWORKSCENTRE@education.gov.uk Research partner to start the evidence synthesis and generation of new research. The WWC forms part of the Department's wider agenda to develop a culture of learning across children's social care. This includes driving a strong evidence base through the Innovation Programme and Partners in Practice, along with recommendations identified through the new Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel and other key partners. The new WWC will join the What Works Network of 7 existing independent WWCs and 2 affiliate members, promoted and supported by Cabinet Office. The network is underpinned by the principle that good decision-making should be informed by the best available evidence. Existing WWCs include the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which has gained a worldwide reputation for its pioneering use of clinical and cost-effective methodologies to produce authoritative advice and guidelines. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), since its launch in 2011, has commissioned 100 evaluations and is working with 7 500 schools and reaching 750 000 pupils across England. Other WWCs include the Early Intervention Foundation, What Works Centre for Crime Reduction and the Centre for Ageing Better.