Experienced Researcher Required – 70hrs

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

As in 1.1

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Experienced Researcher 70hrs

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

Research Proposal: Play in the Home

Introduction

The National Play Strategy Action Plan was launched in 2013 with a clear vision that Scotland will be the best place to grow up. To achieve this we require a nation which values play as a life-enhancing daily experience for all our children and young people; in their homes, nurseries, schools and communities. This proposed research will investigate if our homes and family environments are places where all children and young people enjoy plentiful play opportunities, appropriate to their age, stage, needs and preferences.

Background

The Play Strategy Implementation Group has created a short-life working group to oversee this project as part of the implementation of the National Play Strategy. The working group consists of members from a variety of organisations including Smart Play Network, NHS Health Scotland, Scottish Book Trust, Play Scotland, International Play Association, Children 1st, Scottish Pre-School Play Association, Scottish Childminding Association and Education Scotland. This element of work will deliver the evidence to better inform and shape the development of action 6.4 – ‘Develop user friendly guidance for parents and carers on how to access cost effective resources for play’.

Research aims and objectives

We wish to investigate and review good practice in reaching all parents and carers with clear messages and guidance on cost effective resources and suggestions for play suitable for children of all ages, stages and abilities.

We specifically wish to investigate:

– The effectiveness of reach to parents

– The target age group for the content of the information

– The scope of the messages (activity or advice based)

– The inclusiveness of these messages including clarity of language, cost and ability

– The sectors and organisation which produce this information

– The range of information available (by medium, type etc.)

– The geographical reach and population segmentation of such information

In addition, we will require the final report to include;

– Analysis of above including gap analysis

– Recommendations

Suggested approach

The research would be desk based (at home or within an identified partner organisation) over a brief period of approximately 70 hours. A sub group from the working group will hold a start-up meeting with the researcher and again part way through to ensure clarity and for monitoring and reviewing purposes.

We would expect to receive a completed written report and a verbal presentation to the working group by the middle of June.

We acknowledge that clear parameters need to be set to ensure that the research only includes material regarding information and guidance on ‘cost effective’ resources. We have interpreted ‘cost effective’ as meaning free from cost or that which does not put any undue financial obligation on the parent or carer. It is important to emphasise that this is not about the cost effectiveness of the guidance itself but that of the play opportunities recommended in the information and guidance.

Initially, the working group will collate information from their own organisations (this has commenced with Play Scotland taking responsibility for this) to act as a starting point for the research.

Expected outputs

– Briefing meeting

– Interim meeting

– Verbal presentation and written report

Timetable

Submission of tenders Wednesday 23rd April 2014 at 10 am

Sub-group decision Tuesday 29th April 2014 at 3 pm

Project briefing meeting

(sub group and researcher) Wednesday 30th April 2014

Interim meeting Wednesday 14th May 2014

Final verbal presentation and report Monday 16th June 2014

Project completion Friday 20th June 2014

The above dates are subject to change at the discretion of the sub-group.

Research governance

A sub-group of the working group will be formed to offer management and governance of this work. The key contact for research management will be Lesley Fox, Smart Play Network, 0131 664 2746. Email: l.fox@smartplaynetwork.org

Payment schedule

25% of budget will be paid on commissioning of this work and 75% on completion.

Budget

A total budget of GBP3,500 has been identified for this work which will include telephone and any travel expenses.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=300776.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

a) Commodity Codes

b) Delivery Location/Area

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

as per contract description

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

We are seeking an experienced researcher who has a good knowledge of the voluntary sector.

Experience of research in the play sector or around services for children and families would be beneficial.

Availability from the 30th of April to the 20th June is essential.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage – Any candidate may submit a tender.

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

b) Time-limit for receipt of completed tenders
23-04-2014  Time  10:00

c) Estimated award date 29-04-2014

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

EN

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

How to respond

If you would be interested in undertaking the work, please write your tender to include:

– How you would undertake the work;

– What experience you have that you would bring to the work;

– The name of two referees who can comment on your work;

– Any other information you think we would find useful.

(SC Ref:300776)

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice

07-04-2014