Discovery into Homelessness data pilots

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done This will be a crucial step in helping us understand the most useful indicators nationally. It will help us understand how and if we might present a variety of data sets in a way that maximises the usefulness of this data. To improve the current data practices we need to deliver these pilots in partnership with people working in services that collect and use data. We know that the using homelessness data services is hugely varied, and so anything we design/build must be primarily informed by the experience of local areas. Problem to Be Solved 1. More could be done to improve local/national government’s shared understanding of what constitutes good homelessness services and outcomes. There’s a variety of incomparable data collected and definitions vary. 2. Inconsistencies in data collection/use by a range of homelessness services mean that we do not have an accurate local and national picture of homelessness than is desirable; local authorities are unable to effectively benchmark their performance against similar local authorities; central government cannot always effectively determine local authority performance. 3. More work is required to understand what skills/capacity are needed in local/national government to evaluate data on homelessness services performance. Who Are the Users The hypotheses we would like to test are: AS an individual / organisation that delivers l/ commissions local homelessness services I NEED central government to define what ‘good looks like’ SO THAT I know what outcomes they expect me/my organisation to achieve locally. AS a policy maker/local commissioner I NEED to have consistent or interoperating data sets and systems SO THAT the services I deliver are consistent and can be scaled easily. AS someone delivering local homelessness services I NEED data to be consistent from one local authority to another SO THAT I can accurately compare homelessness in different localities. Early Market Engagement None, although other questions which need answering as part of this requirement are: AS an individual / organisation that delivers l/ commissions local homelessness services I NEED guidance on what data I should be collecting locally SO THAT I can better understand the issues in my local area and address local homelessness more effectively. AS someone who needs to monitor national levels of homelessness I NEED data to be consistent from one local authority to another SO THAT I can aggregate this data and get an accurate national picture of need and of the effectiveness of services. Work Already Done None although this Discovery Phase will help us to develop the framework iteratively, testing hypothesis with a range of Local authorities who also commission services on the basis of their data, making them an essential partner in understanding the opportunities for improving the use of data. Existing Team Internal resource from the Homelessness Directorate working on this project part-time: 1 Team leader 1 senior policy advisor 1 Project manager Current Phase Discovery Work Location We expect the successful supplier to work regularly with MHCLG in 2 Marsham Street, London. The supplier may work 1-2 days off site. MHCLG will not fund travel within London, but will fund necessary travel outside of London. Working Arrangments The supplier is expected to work onsite alongside existing teams for at least 3 days a week. We would prefer the team to be co-located in 2 Marsham Street but expect travel for user research and other activities. We expect the supplier to work using agile methodology. The supplier will also be expected to work openly. Security Clearance CTC or above is desirable as staff won’t need escorting on site. There is no requirement for supplier personnel to be security cleared. BPSS clearance will be required to access MHCLG's ICT systems. Please make it clear whether staff have CTC security clearance or not when submitting responses. Additional T&Cs All materials/outputs derived from the contract shall be the property of MHCLG. GDPR requirements shall be discussed and agreed with the preferred supplier at the appropriate time. Skills & Experience Using examples, experience of delivering discoveries in line within the Government Service Manual. Using examples, experience of recruiting users for research. Using examples, experience of delivering user-centred solutions to problems. Using examples, evidence of meeting skill requirements based on the anticipated composition of the team Nice to Haves With examples, Working with people with low digital proficiency With examples, working on outcomes frameworks No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria Understanding of user needs Approach and methodology Team structure Estimated timeframes for the work Technical solutions Cultural Fit Criteria Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions Challenge the status quo Care deeply about users Share knowledge and experience with other organisations Payment Approach Capped time and materials Assessment Method Written proposal Case study Work history Presentation Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 45% Cultural fit 15% Price 40% Questions from Suppliers Budget range a budget range of between £75,000 to £90,000 (exclusive of vat) has been allocated for this requirement.