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.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 02/08/2019
Decision due: 2 Aug 2019 by Cabinet Member - Education and Skills
Lead member: Cabinet Member - Education and Skills
Contact: Paula Healey, Education Improvement Manager 0161 770 3655 Email: paula.healey@oldham.gov.uk Email: paula.healey@oldham.gov.uk.
Consultation process
A consultation process was undertaken with
colleagues from Procurement, Finance and Legal services.