HSE/T3535 - Digital proposition research on Occupational Lung Disease (OLD) guidance

Tender description

Why the Work is Being Done To develop exemplar HSE guidance, using OLD as a case study, as part of HSE’s website improvement programme. To commission primary qualitative research with (potential) users of OLD guidance to explore how and when its needed and accessed across all channels. Will result in a likely focus on digital guidance, including web, but would like to understand other guidance channels identified. After developing an understanding of user need, the research should generate ideas for and proposition test digital OLD guidance. Ideas should be judged in terms of potential benefit to users and HSE. Final outputs required March 2020. Problem to Be Solved • HSE relies on its website to deliver regulatory functions and campaigns. • HSE commercial strategy depends on having a website to generate and collect income. • HSE has multiple distinct websites using differing technologies, branding, content management approaches and contractual agreements. • Historic under investment in web-content management technologies has caused reliance on technologies that are out-of-date or unsupported and starting to fail. • Content is duplicated and not reusable. Legacy content volume is high and presents a reputational risk. • Website performance is deteriorating fast. Key issues impact search engine optimisation • User research identified concerns with navigation and search functionality of content. Required Outputs/ Deliverables • A short research report suitable for publication, summarising the main research findings and recommendations. • A pragmatic half day workshop for selected stakeholders, to consult on the findings, steer existing discovery activity and begin the development of recommended digital prototypes. • A short video (approximately 7mins) to illustrate the research findings and recommendations. This will be used to bring the findings to life and stimulate discussion. It may include quotes, observation and feedback from research participants (who have consented to this), and examples of good practice guidance. Who Are the Users As an employer or worker, I need to have an awareness and understanding of the risks of OLD, know how to and be able to control the risks to my employee’s/ my own health, and take responsibility for it. Target audience of the research is: employers (duty holders) and possibly workers, in construction, woodworking, welding, and stone working in small and medium sized businesses. We suggest including people with a range of experience of using the HSE website, all with some responsibility for H&S (but not necessarily the H&S manager) and with varying degrees of knowledge about OLD. Early Market Engagement SME qualitative research (2016/17) to understand extent to which HSE advice, guidance and communications currently meet SME needs and how HSE can make improvements to encourage use. The research revealed SMEs experience several challenges when they use the HSE website. OLD qualitative research (2018/19). Key findings: • Understanding and awareness of OLD varied by sectors and among employers, workers and contractors. • Users wanted to be approached through channels they already used and knew. Information needs to be accessible, low cost or free. • Potential for targeted OLD content for specific sectors. • Workers wanted help with holding their employer to account, to be motivated to do something and for the risk to be kept salient. Messages need to be hard-hitting but not scary or patronising. • Users need to assess control options, their costs, benefits and implications. They also need to source and implement appropriate control solutions. Suggestions included interactive reckoner tools, smart device apps and interactive tools • There was a preference for simplicity, learning to be interactive and tailored (e.g. ‘to me as a welder’), use of visuals over text. Suggestions included believable and motivational statistics, descriptions, signs, case studies and videos. Work Already Done Key findings from CMS prototype user research: • Users thought the site was useful but wanted a more personalised experience. • They expected HSE and HSL sites to be more integrated • They wanted information to be in plain English, with a friendlier tone • Users suggested better use could be made of technology so content is tailored to interests of the user. • Novice users wanted to know where to start and reassurance owing to the amount of information they had to take in • While the site was respected, users expressed the opinion that it looked outdated/oldfashioned. Existing Team Working with HSE digital, communications, and ISD team. ISD provides HSE with an understanding of people and behaviours to develop targeted and more effective interventions. This includes anyone who contributes to the H&S system in GB. Typical activities include: • Collating existing or undertaking new research (qualitative and quantitative) • Translating data and evidence into targeted business insight • Partnering colleagues to apply this insight to deliver enhanced processes, products, and communications • Trialling new techniques and evaluating their effectiveness against business outcomes Team members share a mix of skills and professions, including market research, social research, and behavioural science. Current Phase Discovery Work Location We expect the contractor to recruit their own research participants, preferably in a range of geographic locations, and complete around 25-35 qualitative interviews. Working Arrangments We expect an initial face to face briefing meeting (most likely at HSE HQ in Bootle or central London) with the contractor and main internal stakeholders followed by regular telephone meetings to discuss updates as fieldwork begins and progresses, and brief progress updates by phone or email on a weekly basis. Security Clearance Additional T&Cs Skills & Experience Have experience of conducting qualitative research and online accompanied surfing, including recruitment of research participants, analysis and reporting of qualitative data. Nice to Haves Experience of designing services associated with Health and Safety Experience of testing and/ or designing guidance Knowledge of Occupational Lung Disease (OLD) Experience of designing services for users with low digital Experience of designing services for users where English is not their first language No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 10 Proposal Criteria Demonstrate a clear understanding of the research requirements and propose a viable methodology for providing well-evidenced recommendations. Include the approach to the recruitment of research participants, how the research will be conducted and, the analysis and reporting of qualitative data. Track record and technical capability to carry out the work Named resource, specify who will be responsible for delivering this project and provide details for each named person, including their skills, experience and anticipated involvement in the project Clear resource plan and confidence on time delivery Clear cost breakdowns for both £50,000 and £30,000 limits Whether any part of the project will be subcontracted and if so to whom Short biographies of all team members that will work on the project. Cultural Fit Criteria Commitment to collaborative working Payment Approach Fixed price Assessment Method Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 75% Cultural fit 5% Price 20% Questions from Suppliers Budget range we expect to receive a range of proposals and options to fit the brief, with recommendations of approach based on the outcomes required. our total budget expectation (excluding vat) is £50,000. however we would also like contractors to provide a fully costed option for £30,000. • please break down the budget and provide clear costs, and where appropriate costed additional options. • all expenses and costs must be clearly itemised, including travel and subsistence costs (e.g. to attend meetings), staff day rates and unit costs (e.g. cost per qualitative interview).