Software package and information systems

Tender description

We are proposing to contract for the build of a matching service to carry out the functions of the Adoption Register. The DfE’s aim is to deliver an Adoption Register that focuses on user needs in line with the GDS Technology Code of Practice. When an adoption agency is considering placing a child for adoption, they look for a suitable match, which is often found locally. For some children, they need to look further afield using tools such as the Adoption Register. The Adoption Register is an online database of unmatched children and prospective adopters. It is used by both social workers and prospective approved adopters to seek matches and operates on a statutory basis under section 125 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. The Adoption Register is an online database of unmatched children and prospective adopters. The Department has been considering the future of the Adoption Register which has involved extensive stakeholder engagement including conducting a “Discovery Phase” to assess options for the future. Insights from those will be shared at the supplier event. The Register has existed since 2001. It made 233 matches in 2016/17 that comprises 126 matches from Exchange Days, 99 from Regional Business Partner searches, 5 from adopter-led searches and 3 from practitioner searches. With all approved prospective adopters now having access to the service to search for their own matches, there is increased opportunity to create more matches between children and adopters on the register. The DfE’s aim is to deliver an Adoption Register which has user needs as a key focus in line with the GDS Technology Code of Practice, supported by a technology solution that is fully accessible and secure. It may be a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, provided that the needs of the users can be fully met. Alternatively, the solution may be built and hosted within the DfE’s Microsoft Azure infrastructure, with a preference for Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) where possible or and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provision where PaaS is not an option. The Adoption Register will need to fully inter-operate with other third party services and facilitate the seamless movement of data to and from the DfE as and when required.