Delivering the Best Start in Life - Implementation Partner

The Department for Education (DfE) is issuing this Market Engagement Notice to invite interest from suitably qualified and experienced organisations in advance of a forthcoming procurement for an Implementation Partner(s) to support local authorities in the delivery of the Best Start in Life (BSiL) programme. This procurement seeks to engage strategic partner(s) with the vision and capability to supporting delivering transformation of family support services. The event will be a key opportunity to test emerging models and draw on the expertise of a diverse range of organisations, ensuring we harness the full breadth of innovation and experience available across the sector. The successful Implementation Partner(s) will play a pivotal role in supporting local authorities to: 1. Lead System Reform and Drive Ambitious Local Action Support local authorities to champion bold, innovative, and collaborative approaches across their 0–5 systems. This includes strengthening local leadership, commissioning and coordinating Partner(s)s effectively, harnessing community assets, and ensuring alignment with wider national and local reform programmes to maximise improvements in early childhood development and health outcomes. 2. Deliver Consistent, High Quality BSiL and Best Start Family Hub Services Provide expertise and practical guidance to ensure that local areas deliver integrated, evidence based services across core BSiL priority areas. These include Healthy Babies, Parenting Support and the Home Learning Environment, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and childcare access, sufficiency and entitlements. The Implementation Partner(s) will help local authorities ensure families can access the right support at the right time, through high quality, connected pathways. 3. Build Sustainable Capability, Learning and Innovation Across the Sector Promote a culture of continuous improvement by enabling local authorities to learn from one another, share best practice, and engage in test and learn activities. The Implementation Partner(s) will develop tools, resources, peer learning networks, and targeted 1-2-1 small group specialist support to build long term capability and strengthen the effective use of data and digital solutions in improving outcomes. 4. Provide Flexible, Responsive Support Aligned with a Changing Landscape Ensure that local authorities receive timely, relevant support that can adapt quickly to emerging needs, policy developments, and operational challenges. The Implementation Partner(s) must demonstrate the infrastructure, agility, and expertise to respond at pace, enabling local authorities to maintain momentum in delivering the ambitions of the Best Start in Life programme. We welcome suggestions on the most effective procurement approach to secure a flexible, responsive model that ensures value for money and supports local authorities to drive system transformation and continuous improvement.