Reading outcomes framework: Invitation to Tender

Transcription

1 Reading utcmes framewrk: Invitatin t Tender Intrductin The Reading Agency is a leading independent charity whse pineering wrk brings the jy f reading t the widest pssible audience acrss the UK, in partnership with the public library service. The charity s missin is t create and deliver innvative reading pprtunities inspiring mre peple t read mre, encuraging them t share their enjyment f reading with thers and celebrating the difference that reading makes t all ur lives. The Reading Agency is a natinal prtfli hlder f Arts Cuncil England. The Reading Agency needs a rbust verarching utcmes framewrk t help us evaluate ur impact. At the end f 2014 we were awarded funding frm the Peter Swerby Fundatin t develp a reading utcmes framewrk t imprve evaluatin fr The Reading Agency and acrss the reading sectr. We are wrking with key partners acrss a range f charities and library bdies t develp an utcmes framewrk that we can all use t guide the evaluatin f ur wrk t encurage reading fr pleasure and empwerment. The prject steering grup wuld like t cmmissin an expert partner t wrk with us t develp the reading utcmes framewrk and a crrespnding evaluatin tlkit. The aim is t mve beynd prgramme-by-prgramme evaluatin, t think mre strategically abut evaluatin and t develp a mre cmparable evidence base abut the impact f ur wrk. We want t be sure that ur interventins really d make a difference fr the peple we are trying t reach and we want t cnstantly imprve the wrk that we d. Backgrund In the first year f the prject we have built supprt fr the wrk, establishing a cre steering grup t drive the prject frward and a wider advisry grup f experts t prvide additinal guidance (see appendix ne fr the terms f reference and membership f the steering grup. Details abut the advisry grup are available upn request). We have spken abut the wrk at a number f relevant cnferences, particularly with the library sectr. Discussins in these varying cntexts have indicated the need and appetite fr the prject and helped refine the fcus. In additin t partnership building and initial cnsultatin wrk, we cmmissined and published a literature review abut the impact f reading fr pleasure and empwerment. The review includes a map f the utcmes f reading fr pleasure and empwerment (see appendix tw) which will be the fundatin fr the develpment f the utcmes framewrk. The literature review findings have been discussed at a number f meetings, which endrsed the utcmes that were included in the utcmes map and highlight sme additinal areas f interest. Prject specificatin We wuld like t cmmissin a partner t wrk with us frm December 2015 t August 2016 t build n ur wrk t date and develp a reading utcmes framewrk and a crrespnding evaluatin tlkit. The framewrk and tlkit will be suitable fr a wide range f rganisatins wrking in this field t use t

2 measure the impact f their activity t encurage reading. Prject steering grup members will be invlved in the shrtlisting and interview prcess fr cmmissining this piece f wrk. The key utputs will be: 1. A framewrk f the utcmes f reading fr pleasure and empwerment The framewrk will fcus n utcmes that result frm reading that is dne thrugh chice, fr pleasure r empwerment. This is reading that takes place utside f cre educatin r emplyment and it des nt include learning t read but might include reading t learn r fr self-develpment, fr example reading self-help bks. We take a brad definitin f reading, which includes (but is nt limited t) reading any f the fllwing: fictin, nn-fictin, digital materials, physical materials, picture bks, cmics, newspapers, audi bks, listening t thers reading/shared reading. The framewrk is nt fcused n the literacy utcmes f reading, r reading that is dne slely t imprve literacy skills. The framewrk will include utcmes acrss the age ranges and acrss different target audience grups. 2. An evaluatin tlkit t measure the impact f activity t encurage reading A detailed tlkit t be used t measure the impact f prgrammes and activities that aim t encurage reading fr pleasure and empwerment. It will include recmmended indicatrs and measures t assess whether an impact has been made n a cre set f utcmes. The measures will be flexible s they can be used in different cntexts and with different audiences it is likely that we will need separate, linked measures fr children and adults. The measures will be suitable t use t evaluate bth whether prgrammes and activities have impacted n reading fr pleasure and empwerment (i.e. changed reading behaviurs and attitudes) and whether these changes have had wider impacts (i.e. n the areas utlined in the reading utcmes framewrk). The scpe f the tlkit is ptentially very large: wrking with the steering grup when the utcmes framewrk has been develped we will agree the cre utcmes fr which we need measures in the first instance, with the ptential t cmmissin further wrk in the future t add t the tlkit. Methdlgy: The measures will draw n the existing ways in which rganisatins measure these utcmes (where relevant) and bring tgether existing validated measures. We envisage that the prcess fr develping the framewrk and tlkit will invlve: Reviewing the existing evidence we have cllated and drawing the learning tgether int a cherent, accessible and utward facing draft framewrk.

3 Mapping the utcmes that have been identified against lcal and natinal plicy bjectives t identify any gaps and refining the list with the steering and advisry grup. Planning and running cnsultatin with the sectr acrss the UK t investigate whether these are the right utcmes t measure. Cnsultatin will need t take place with the fllwing types f audiences: libraries, early years settings, schls, clleges, prisns, health prfessinals, family learning specialists, cmmunity grups, Schl Library Services, cmmissiners, funders, publishers, prgramme beneficiaries. Steering grup members are able t brker cntact thrugh ur existing relatinships, and it is a likely that cnsultatin sessins will be best attended (and best value) where they are integrated int existing meetings and cnferences. Different methds f cnsultatin might be applicable fr different grups we wuld like a primary methd f cnsultatin t be face-t-face wrkshps, but welcme recmmendatins n ther appraches, tailred t different audiences. Refining and revising the list fllwing this cnsultatin. Develping an evaluatin tlkit which can be used t measure a cre set f these utcmes, agreed upn by the steering grup. The measures will draw tgether and build upn the tls that are already in use by steering grup members and ther relevant rganisatins. The tlkit will make use f existing validated measures as much as pssible. Publishing the resultant utcmes framewrk and evaluatin tlkit. We wish t fully utilise the expertise f the rganisatin that undertakes this wrk. Therefre we are interested t hear abut alternative appraches t develping the reading utcmes framewrk and evaluatin tlkit, in additin t r instead f the steps utlined abve. Similarly, if it is felt that sme f the stages utlined wuld best be undertaken in a different rder r cmbined d specify this within yur prpsal. The key things that we are lking fr frm the partner that we cmmissin are as fllws: Expertise in develping utcmes framewrks and evaluatin tlkits, r similar areas f wrk Expertise in running cnsultatins, including cnsultatin wrkshps Reading and/r library sectr knwledge

4 Budget The ttal budget available fr this piece f wrk is 25,300, inclusive f VAT. We have an additinal 5,400 that culd be allcated fr practical expenses assciated with running cnsultatin wrkshps (rm hire, catering and prvisin f printed materials). Prject csts shuld be itemised under the fllwing headings: Salary csts fr each prject team member t be invlved in fulfilling the cntract (alng with the daily rate and number f days input fr each prject team member) Other administrative csts Cnsultatin csts Travel and subsistence Overheads (if applicable) Csts shuld be inclusive f VAT and state whether VAT is chargeable. Full cst details f any prpsed sub cntracts and hw these will be managed shuld be included. Tenders shuld set ut a payment schedule related t key milestnes. Timetable The timetable fr the tendering prcess is as fllws: Tenders invited: 28 Octber 2015 Submissin deadline: 16 Nvember 2015 Prject cmmissined: 27 Nvember 2015 The clsing date fr receipt f tenders is at 10am n 16 Nvember. A full electrnic cpy f the tender including any annexes and supplementary material as part f ne dcument, in MS Wrd r PDF frmat, shuld be ed t laura.venning@readingagency.rg.uk. It is requested that tenders d nt exceed 20 pages in length in ttal (this is a maximum rather than a target length). Respnses t the invitatin t tender will be shrtlisted and the relevant rganisatins will be ntified by 10am n 19 Nvember and invited t interview at the Reading Agency s ffices n 24 Nvember. The cntract will be awarded by 27 Nvember and wrk will cmmence immediately, with an inceptin meeting held in the first week f December. Yur prpsal shuld set ut a clear timetable fr the prject, with the reading utcmes framewrk and evaluatin tlkit finalised and ready t publish by the end f August 2016.

5 Shrtlisting prcedure Tenders will be evaluated n best value fr mney: the budget indicated fr the prject is the maximum budget available fr the wrk, rather than a target spend. The key criteria fr scring the tenders are: Hw well the tender respnds t the brief The rbustness and suitability f the prpsal Relevant skills and experience f the team, including track recrd f prducing similar wrk f a high quality and t deadline The adequacy and quality f prpsed prject management and risk management arrangements Overall csts Tenders shuld therefre prvide the fllwing details: An elabratin f the prject purpse and intended utputs Details f the prpsed apprach Relevant infrmatin abut the rganisatin The names and relevant experience f staff members invlved Staff time cmmitment t the prject (in days) Timetable Arrangements fr administratin and management f the prject Detailed prject budget It is requested that tenders d nt exceed 20 pages in length in ttal (this is a maximum rather than a target length). Tender requirements Staff: The research team shuld have a high level f expertise and significant experience in cnducting similar pieces f wrk, ideally with relevant knwledge abut prgrammes t encurage reading. Tenders shuld briefly describe the skills and experience f each individual and their expected cntributin. Risks: Tenders shuld clearly set ut the key risk factrs fr the success f the prject and a prpsed risk management apprach. Ethics: Tenders shuld address any anticipated ethical issues and prblems and hw these will be dealt with. Data prtectin and infrmed cnsent: Cntractrs shall cmply with all the prvisins and bligatins under the Data Prtectin Act (1998), including the eight data prtectin principles and all subrdinate legislatin.

6 Appendix 1: steering grup terms f reference Steering grup Rle and respnsibilities T supprt the develpment f a shared reading utcmes framewrk ver the perid f the prject T share evaluatin experience and future plans t ensure the develpment f a sustainable evaluatin mdel T share expertise in different areas f specialism t help build an integrated apprach T supprt the lnger term applicatin f a shared utcmes framewrk Organisatin The Reading Agency will chair and manage meetings n behalf f the grup The grup will meet quarterly fr first year: e.g. 16 Feb, 21 r 22 May, w/c 17 Aug, w/c 16 Nv. There will be cntact as necessary between meetings and ne-n-ne phne calls/cnference calls held with members as required, n specific issues. Membership will cnsist f a designated lead frm each rganisatin with ther representatin brught in as necessary. Membership Sue Wilkinsn (The Reading Agency) Laura Venning (The Reading Agency) Debbie Hicks (The Reading Agency) Natasha Armstrng (Bktrust) Kelly Walsh (Bktrust) Jnathan Duglas (NLT) Clem Pabin (NLT) Viv Niblett (ACE) Lesley Sim (SCL) Sarah Mears (ASCEL) Dawn Finch (CILIP) Amina Shah (SLIC) Senaid Macled (Publishers Assciatin r Emma Huse). Eleanr Stringer (Educatin Endwment Fundatin)

7 Appendix 2: Emerging utcmes map (surce: Literature Review: The impact f reading fr pleasure and empwerment)