User research to improve schools digital guidance content and tools on gov.uk

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done DfE makes available guidance and tools (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/schools-financial-health-and-efficiency#get-started-with-school-resource-management:-checklist) on gov.uk to help schools get best value from resources to improve pupil outcomes. These include: School resource management self-assessment tool (launched autumn 2018 for academies) which helps schools to compare their use of resources with similar schools. We expect recommendations by early November 2018 to improve tool, which will be available to LA-maintained schools from early 2019. Efficiency metric (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-financial-efficiency-metric-tool) (improved version based on previous research to be published autumn 2018) Workforce planning guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-workforce-planning) (to be converted to HTML) Financial Health Checks (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/schools-financial-health-checks-supplier-directory) directory of third-party suppliers offering financial review services. Problem to Be Solved • Do users understand guidance/tools/metrics/data? • Do users know how to use tools? • What actions are users likely to take having used guidance and tools? Self-assessment tool/efficiency metric: • Are metrics and comparisons helpful? What is missing? • Do users understand difference between financial benchmarking and efficiency snapshot? Financial health checks: • How do schools identify need for financial support, how do they find it? • What information do schools needs in order to make a decision about supplier? • Test improvements in presentation and structure of directory and guidance? • Does the directory generate leads/add value for suppliers? Who Are the Users As a headteacher, I require an overview of school’s finances, understand how they compare with similar schools, to set and manage budgets. As a school business professional, I require detailed understanding of school's finances, to manage budgets, get best value from resources, and report to governors. As a governor, I need to check if my school's spending is in line with similar schools, to ensure school is using its resources efficiently and challenge financial plans effectively. As a Financial Health Check supplier I need to promote my services effectively so that I can generate new leads in schools. Early Market Engagement Work Already Done User research (2017/18) found: Content on gov.uk is potentially useful to all audiences, needs and expectations vary depending on experience and knowledge levels. Efficiency metric is potentially useful, but users had difficulty using tool, either didn’t understand or misunderstood what the metric was about (and how it differed from benchmarking), and couldn’t articulate how they would use the information. Self-assessment tool (2018) - stakeholder engagement carried out during the development of tool. Financial Health Checks (May 2017) - interest in financial health checks but people are not prioritising these - need for greater awareness of the service and its benefits Existing Team The team will be working with DfE officials only Current Phase Not applicable Work Location Multiple locations to ensure good socio-demographic mix of schools, eg rural/urban, large/small, phase, sector, 1 or 2 participants ideally have accessibility requirements. The user research to be undertaken will be with a range of school types, including: • Phase: primary/secondary/special schools/alternative provision • Sector: local-authority-maintained/single academy trusts/multi-academy trusts Working Arrangments We anticipate an initial face-to-face kick off meeting and verbal report presentation. We will organise regular (weekly) telephone status meetings between DfE and supplier. Security Clearance BPSS (Baseline security level) required. Additional T&Cs Skills & Experience Examples of delivering digital services using an agile team (per the GDS Service Manual) and meet the Digital Service Standard/Tech Code of Practice Provide examples of working in a multi-disciplinary team Expertise in taking forward user research and usability testing to meet user needs to meet any set acceptance criteria (including assisted digital, users with access needs and accessibility audits) Experience of user research among professional audiences Understanding of audiences, segmentation Can communicate effectively to engage a wide set of users across businesses, capture and make sense of user journeys and effectively communicate the results widely, including to senior level audiences Full understanding and demonstrable experience in planning and running a discovery successfully and delivering outcomes within specified timescales Experience in leading an agile team as well as to coach, mentor and upskill people in agile techniques and roles to build capability within existing teams Be agnostic of any particular software, enabling us to consider a range of options to meet user needs Nice to Haves Demonstrate experience of providing recommendations for improving services Experience of the education sector in England Demonstrate experience of managing and proactive engagement with internal stakeholders to support digital/business improvements. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria Demonstrate experience of delivering services for UK government departments or public bodies Proposed methodology Clear outline of team members and structure and demonstration of how their skills and experience will deliver the requirement Demonstrate experience in the identification of key assumptions, dependencies, risks and issues, with robust mitigation plans Evidence of how the proposal represents value for money for DfE Cultural Fit Criteria Demonstration of a proactive approach, taking responsibility for work and resolving issues quickly, without an over reliance on the client team Demonstration of working in a transparent and collaborative way with UK government departments or public bodies Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 20% Price 30% Questions from Suppliers Budget range up to £45,000 ex vat