National Careers Service Evaluation – Request for Quotation
The aim of this project is to gain a robust, up-to-date understanding of the value for money of the National Careers Service.
National Careers Service Evaluation
DEPARTMENT FOR EDUCATION
Contract summary
Industry
- Research and development services and related consultancy services – 73000000
Location of contract
United Kingdom
Value of contract
£40,000 to £60,000
Procurement reference
DFERPPU 20-21/034
Published date
14 January 2021
Closing date
5 February 2021
Closing time
11:59pm
Contract start date
1 April 2021
Contract end date
1 August 2021
Contract type
Supply contract
Procedure type
Competitive quotation (non-OJEU)
Contract is suitable for SMEs?
Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs?
Yes
Description
The aim of this project is to gain a robust, up-to-date understanding of the Value for Money of the National Careers Service. This work will inform the re-procurement process of the National Careers Service by providing evidence to inform future decisions on priority groups, funding incentives and delivery mechanisms.
The National Careers Service is available to anyone in England over the age of 13 providing impartial information, advice and guidance about learning, work, skills and the labour market, in order to support them:
• Into sustainable employment, thereby reducing welfare costs as soon as possible; and
• To upskill/progress into ‘better’ jobs thereby supporting productivity gains.
The Service comprises:
• A personalised guidance service for adults over 18;
• A telephone help line; and
• A website digital offer.
Research questions:
• What is the value for money of the National Careers Service?
o What are the benefits and costs of targeting the current priority groups? And the proposed alternative groups?
o What are the benefits and costs of the current funding and incentive mechanisms?
o What are the benefits and costs of the three delivery methods (face-to-face, telephone, and online)?
Specifically, we want to evaluate the priority groups the Service is currently targeting and whether they are still relevant in the current economic climate;
• Including considering whether alternative groups should be prioritised
• It will be important to establish the degree of overlap between the current priority groups and any proposed priority groups.
• The current priority groups are:
o adults aged 50 and over and who are unemployed, or at demonstrable risk of unemployment,
o low skilled adults without a qualification at level 2 or above,
o people with learning difficulties and disabilities,
o adults who have been unemployed over 12 months,
o 18-24 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET),
o Single parents with at least one dependent child living in the same household.
Assess the current funding and incentive mechanisms;
• We want to understand whether the current funding mechanisms are providing the right financial incentives to contractors and are, ultimately, leading to the best outcomes for those using the service or if there are alternatives that might be more successful in driving policy aims
And evaluate the return of the three delivery methods with respect to their costs of delivery: face-to-face, telephone, and online.
More information
- Attachments
-
- EOI advert template 2019 V2 (002) NCS.docx
- Contract Notice
- Expression of Interest Document
-
- EOI form 2020.doc
- Contract Notice
- EOI Form
- Additional text
- Please note this EOI is subject to Ministerial Approval
How to apply
Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.
About the buyer
Contact name
Laura Hirst
Address
St Pauls Place
Sheffield
S1 2FJ
England