Decision Maker: Cabinet Member - Education and Skills
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
In November 2018, Oldham submitted a
partnership bid with Tameside and Rochdale for the DFE Early Years
Outcomes Fund. Dartington Service Design Lab collaborated with the
3 LAs in developing and writing the bid and were identified as the
key delivery partner.
The purpose of the partnership bid was to collaboratively work to
build upon the existing GM early years strategy and develop a more
targeted, locally nuanced strategy, grounded in the best data and
evidence, engagement with our communities and understanding of our
local systems and associated system behaviours. The programme of
work involved:
•undertake a robust strategy development process –
supported and facilitated by the Dartington Service Design Lab,
including supporting, testing and learning
•identifying three specific activities will be identified
– either existing evidence-based practice, local service
improvement efforts, or local innovations/designs partnership for
submission to the Harvard/Dartington Frontiers of Innovation
cluster. The purpose is to use research to accelerate and increase
impact of the agreed activity by drawing on the best available
science and more rapid/iterative approaches to refinement and
rigorous evaluation
•Building system leadership and workforce culture change
In addition to the above Oldham invited the Local Government
Association to undertake an early years peer review. Following a
robust 4 day peer review process key recommendations
included:
•Pull together an integrated approach to pre birth to 5
years
•Create a 3-5 year partnership SMART action plan with an
agreed outcomes framework.
•Ensure that one Early Years offer is promoted across all
services.
•Agree and implement a whole system workforce training and
development strategy.
Whilst the partnership bid was unsuccessful, Oldham was keen to
ensure that the programme of activity developed by Dartington
Service Design Lab was undertaken as this would address the areas
for development identified through the self-assessment process and
the LGA peer review.
As a result, a bid was made to the Oldham Opportunity Area (OA)
Board for additional investment to undertake the high level
programme of work developed by Dartington Service Design Lab.
The Board has provided 80k funding with the expectation that the
fund is used towards the 105k costs for commissioning Dartington
Service Design Lab to undertake the work programme. An additional
25k is being provided by the LA from funding provided by GMCA for
implementation of the GM Pathways to Talking programme.
The programme of work for improving outcomes in early years has
been designed and developed by Dartington Service Design Lab and is
a unique product in the market place. As such, there is no viable
competition in the market place to deliver the programme in the
borough of Oldham.
RESOLVED - That: exemption from contract
procedure rules 213a in order to make a direct award to Dartington
Service Design Lab. Dartington Service Design Lab is an independent
research charity committing to application of research and evidence
to children’s services policy and practice, grounded in local
community contexts.
Option 1 - : Engage with the market via The
Chest Portal.
This Option would pose a significant risk in the following
areas:
•Non compliance with the expectations and purpose of the
funding provided by and agreed through the OA board
•Commissioning an organisation to deliver work developed by
Dartington Service Design Lab could breach Intellectual property
Law
•May not result in the commissioning of
an organisation with the relevant experience and expertise
•Will delay programme delivery
Option 2 - Award the contract to Dartington Service Design
Lab:
This would pose minimal risk to the council due to:
•Meeting the requirements of the funding as agreed with the OA
board
•The significant expertise, knowledge and experience within
Dartington Service Design Lab in undertaking work of this nature
and significance
•The initial work already undertaken in developing the
original EYs Outcomes bid by Dartington Service Design Lab means
that they are ready to start the programme of work and will be able
to deliver the programme at pace.
Option 1
Other reasons / organisations consulted
A consultation process was undertaken with
colleagues from Procurement, Finance and Legal services.
Contact: Paula Healey, Education Improvement Manager 0161 770 3655 Email: paula.healey@oldham.gov.uk Email: paula.healey@oldham.gov.uk.
Publication date: 02/08/2019
Date of decision: 02/08/2019
Effective from: 10/08/2019
Accompanying Documents: