Invitation to Tender: External Evaluation of EqualiTeach’s Equally Safe Programme

Introduction

EqualiTeach is a nationwide not-for-profit equality and diversity training and consultancy organisation, which inspires and empowers people to create equal, diverse and inclusive environments where everyone feels safe, valued and able to succeed.

Tender Outline

EqualiTeach is seeking tenders from suitably qualified individuals or organisations to carry out an independent external evaluation of the first year of our Equally Safe Programme, which is funded by the Department for Education.

Details of the tender are set out in this document which is comprised of four parts:

Part 1: Background to EqualiTeach

Part 2: Evaluation Requirements

Part 3: Tender Process

Part 4: General tender information, terms and conditions

Interested parties should submit a proposal by email to Sarah Soyei, Head of Strategy and Development: enquiries@equaliteach.co.uk  by close of business on Friday 7^th January 2022

Part 1: Background to EqualiTeach

EqualiTeach is a not-for-profit provider of equality and diversity training and consultancy services for businesses, local authorities, schools and other education settings.

We are based in St Neots, Cambridgeshire and travel throughout the UK to provide on-site training, workshops and consultancy services. We also provide remote consultancy, online training, e-learning and resources that are available to download from our website.

Established in 2013, we have years of experience in equality training and consultancy. Our team of equality and diversity professionals deliver services, utilising an accessible, non-judgemental and engaging approach.

Organisational Aims

• To empower young people to think critically and reject prejudice and misinformation, and to become active citizens to create positive change
• To empower adults to promote equality, diversity and inclusion; educate others; and tackle prejudice and discrimination
• To capacitate senior leaders to embed equality, diversity and inclusion through policy and practice
• To influence and inform government to promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout decision-making

Part 2: Evaluation Requirements

Background to Equally Safe

EqualiTeach is seeking tenders from suitably qualified individuals or organisations to carry out an independent external evaluation of year one of our Equally Safe Programme, funded by the Department for Education.

EqualiTeach is working with 80 schools through their Multi-Academy Trusts and Local Authorities to create support networks who are embedding best practice approaches to create equal and inclusive schools and tackle identity-based bullying.

Each school has selected two-four members of staff to lead on this work and has been allocated an EqualiTeach representative who is working extensively with them to deliver a bespoke package of support.

This package includes:

• An initial training event for school leads
• Resources and guidance to undertake a baseline assessment of their equalities and anti-bullying work
• Consultancy to support schools to update and strengthen policies
• Eight two-hour online twilight training events for school leads
• Whole-day events and follow up support for pupils to equip them to be Agents for Change Ambassadors
• In-house twilight training for all school staff
• Action planning meetings with staff leads to support them to implement initiatives and create positive change in school
• Assistance in communicating the work to parents/carers
• The creation of a network of peer support with other schools

Representatives are visiting each school to meet with those working on the programme at regular points throughout the year and are providing telephone and e-mail support.

The aims of the programme are:

• To ensure that participating schools have up-to-date, Equality Act compliant, inclusive policies and procedures which actively support anti-bullying work
• To support schools to create safer, more inclusive environment for pupils, staff, parents/carers and visitors
• To increase confidence amongst staff and pupils in participating schools in reporting prejudice-related incidents and identity-based bullying
• To increase pupil voice and empower pupils to support their peers and develop their own anti-bullying initiatives
• To reduce the prevalence of bullying, including that of pupils with protected characteristics in participating schools
• To increase the confidence and ability of participating schools to respond to incidents of bullying effectively.

The role of the external evaluator is foreseen as follows:

1. To identify elements of best practice and quality indicators in the project delivery
2. To measure the overall outputs achieved against the project work-plan
3. To measure the short-term impacts achieved against the project aims
4. To make recommendations on how the project could be strengthened in years 2 and 3

We are looking for an individual/organisation who can demonstrate:

• Previous proven experience and track record on monitoring and evaluation of equality initiatives
• Good research and analysis skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Capacity to deliver a quality piece of work within a tight timescale
• Ability to draft reports in plain English and in a succinct way
• Value for money

Budget

The budget for this contract is a maximum of £5,000 excluding VAT

The final report should be submitted by the 1^st August 2022.

Part 3: Tender Process

Interested parties should submit a proposal to Sarah Soyei, by 5pm on Friday 7^th January 2022

The proposal should provide the following information:

• A proposal which outlines your approach and how you plan to deliver on the above listed requirements, including well-defined evaluation methodology and project management plan
• A clear pricing structure, including whether/where VAT is included
• Consultant(s) profile: capacity, skills, experience and knowledge
• Two examples of relevant work and services
• Two references for the above examples of work – client name, contact number and email.
• Any additional information you think is relevant.

Evaluation Criteria

Tenders will be evaluated on the information provided at the time of tender. Tenders received will be marked out of 100 as follows

• Understanding of tender requirements and approach to tender 20
• Value for money 20
• Qualifications and experience 30
• Methodology and Project Management Plan 30

EqualiTeach will notify acceptance of the tender to the successful tenderer by Friday 14^th January

Unsuccessful tenderers will be notified when the appointment of the successful tender has been confirmed.

Queries or clarifications:

Contact Sarah Soyei, Head of Strategy and Development at enquiries@equaliteach.co.uk

Closing date for receipt of tender: 5pm on Friday 7^th January 2022

Return tender to: enquiries@equaliteach.co.uk

Late applications will not be accepted.

Part 4: General Tendering Information, Terms and Conditions

Terms of Appointment

The contract will run until August 2022. Where a group or consortium submits a proposal, a lead consultant must be nominated who shall be fully responsible for providing the services required by this brief. On appointment the successful tenderer shall prepare and agree an evaluation framework plan with EqualiTeach. The plan shall detail all staff to be engaged on the project and shall indicate all tasks to be undertaken against time.

Notification of Tender Acceptance

EqualiTeach will notify acceptance of the tender to the successful Tenderer by Friday 14^th January 2022

Currency

The currency to be used in this tender is pounds sterling and a tender proposal in any other currency will not be considered.

Costs

EqualiTeach will not be liable in respect of any costs incurred by any tenderer in the preparation of tenders in response to this Invitation to Tender or any associated cost.

Ownership of Documents and Copyright

All documents produced by the consultant in connection with this appointment and submitted to EqualiTeach will be considered the property of EqualiTeach and may be used by EqualiTeach at any time, including for other projects, without the prior approval of the consultant.

Exclusion

Tenderer shall be excluded who:

• is bankrupt or being wound up, whose affairs are being administered by the court, who have entered into an arrangement with creditors or who have suspended business activities
• is the subject of proceedings for declaration of bankruptcy or insolvency, for an order for compulsory winding up or a court liquidation, or who has a liquidator or receiver appointed over its assets, or for composition with creditors or any other similar proceedings
• has committed any acts of grave misconduct in the course of their business or profession/the company’s business;

False or Misleading Information

Tenderers who intentionally or carelessly supply false or misleading information will be disqualified from this tendering procedure on the discovery of such information.

Compliance with Law

Tenderers should be able to provide on demand evidence of compliance with all laws applicable to the provision of the services which are the subject of the Invitation to Tender, and in particular should be able to produce evidence that they have particular regard for statutory terms relating to minimum pay and any legally binding or sectoral agreements if applicable

Compliance with EqualiTeach’s Policies and Procedures           

Successful tenderers must comply with EqualiTeach’s Equality and Diversity, Child Protection and Dignity at Work Policies. All policies can be found here: EqualiTeach policies.

Termination

The contract shall contain provisions reserving to EqualiTeach the right to terminate any contract awarded if it is not satisfied with the performance by the successful Tenderer of the contract. The satisfaction or dissatisfaction of EqualiTeach shall be evaluated in the context of the Tenderers proposal set out in Part 3 of this document.

Requirements of Invitation to Tender

Tenders not conforming to the requirements of this Invitation to Tender will not be considered and will be returned to the Tenderer.

Subject to Contract

This Invitation to Tender is not intended to, and does not, create or evidence any legal or binding relationship, obligation or commitment of any nature between EqualiTeach and any Tenderer. No such legally binding obligation or commitment shall come into being unless and until a formal legal contract is duly executed and delivered by EqualiTeach and the successful Tenderer.

Disclaimer

This document is for information only and does not constitute, and shall not be interpreted as, an offer for sale, prospectus, or the basis of a contract. Candidates are recommended to read the documents thoroughly. EqualiTeach reserves the right to discontinue the procurement process at any time. No liability will be accepted for candidates’ costs in connection with the procurement procedure, irrespective of the outcome, whether or not the procedure is cancelled or postponed.

End