Strategic support and engagement for developing a new Social Care Research, Innovation & Improvement

What is requiredWe are looking for a supplier to help us with the development of a new Research, innovation and improvement strategy.A large focus of the supplier’s work will be engaging with people across Wales, using co-production and design principles to involve people in the development of the strategy in creative and innovative ways.We are looking for a supplier with the skills and experience to deliver the full scope of this tender. We would welcome collaborative bids or proposals from consortia that incorporate the full range of skills and experience we’re looking for, including:- an understanding of how research is managed, including funding arrangements and delivery- an understanding of innovation in public services (including digital innovation)- an understanding of improvement in public services- an understanding of capacity building and skills development- an understanding of knowledge mobilisation- an understanding of social care, including the devolved policy context in Wales- experience in managing user-centred design approaches- experience in qualitative data analysis and evidence synthesisWe envisage this project having five stages, as set out below. We invite potential suppliers to improve, build on or provide alternative suggestions in their response. We will agree the detailed approach during the inception stage of the project:~ Stage 1 Discovery (Purpose: to understand the current landscape)~ Stage 2 Engagement and co-design (Purpose: to identify potential strategic goals and actions to enable us to draft a strategy)~ Stage 3 Drafting the strategy (Purpose: to prepare a draft strategy)~ Stage 4 Consultation (Purpose: to gather feedback on the draft strategy. Once we have developed the draft, we would like the supplier to help us run a consultation exercise that is inclusive and supports people to be involved in the way that makes sense for them)~ Stage 5 Finalising and launching the strategy (Purpose: to finalise and launch the strategy)DeliverablesWe’ll require the following deliverables in electronic format:- A brief inception report (in English), setting out the methodological approach, timescales, reporting schedules, risk management and management arrangements. The inception report should be delivered shortly after the inception meeting.- A report (in English) setting out recommendations for our new strategy, including:~ a brief, high-level review of the impact of the first strategy~ horizon scanning to identify initiatives that might be helpful e.g. Northern Ireland Research & Innovation Strategy~ key themes, potential actions and theory of change for the next 5-year strategy emerging from the engagement and co-design~ A report (in English) analysing and synthesising the consultation feedback for use by Social Care Wales in the preparation of the final strategyTo deliver these outputs, we will expect the supplier to:- Attend an inception meeting to confirm the detail and arrangements for the work required- Attend short fortnightly update meetings (30-60 minutes depending on the stage of the study) with Social Care Wales leads, with short email updates (in English) submitted 2-3 days before each meeting. The updates will include the progress of the project, emerging topics and themes, any issues identified and next steps.~ Engage people in the co-design and consultation stages. It is critical that the supplier provides accessible and engaging approaches, to support a diverse range of participants to participate. We want to include:- People who work in social care in Wales- People who use care and support and their carers- Social care researchers in Wales- Employers across the health and social care sector including statutory, private and voluntary and across children’s and adult services- Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru- Regional Partnership Boards and Research, Innovation and Improvement Coordination Hubs- Trade Unions- Welsh Local Government Association- Care Inspectorate Wales- Welsh Government- Innovation organisations such as the Life Sciences Hub, Health Technology Wales, the Intensive Learning Academies, Y Lab at Cardiff University and the Bevan CommissionPlease see specification for more information