National Rollout of Early Career Induction Reforms and Early Career Framework Support Package - Process Evaluation

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to alert the market to a proposed process evaluation of the national rollout (NRO) of the Early Career Framework (ECF). The evaluation will inform continuous improvement and growth of NRO. It is anticipated that a mixed-method approach will be adopted to deliver a process evaluation, case studies and near real-time insights and feedback loops.

Aim: To develop and increase understanding of how the different processes and actors involved in the reforms of early-career statutory induction support the DfE's drive to improve quality and increase retention of early career teachers, by informing continuous improvement during the first years of the national rollout.

To deliver on this, the research objectives are to: I. Provide a good understanding of the characteristics and motivations of those schools engaging / not engaging with the different levels of support package(s) on offer from the Department. II. Gather evidence on the rationale for choices schools make in selecting a lead provider, delivery partner and induction programme. III. Provide an understanding of the delivery chain, the challenges and how these are overcome, and any approaches to testing and continuous improvement. IV. Explore early signs that the programme has resulted in desired outputs in terms of recruitment, programme retention and delivery of the training programmes. V. Provide a good understanding of the experiences and satisfaction of the schools, mentors, ECTs and other actors (including appropriate bodies) that engage with the content and delivery of the ECF support packages (full induction package (FIP) and others), and what works well, less well, and why. VI. Identify signs of early promise based on self-reported outcomes for ECTs, mentors and schools, paying particular attention to a sub-sample of schools which have been involved in the early roll-out and will for the first time have two years of early career teachers experiencing induction supported by mentors at the same time. VII. Provide ready-access to insights about the components of the national-rollout of the ECF support packages that work well / less well, for which actors and in what context, and any barriers and facilitators, in a way that facilitates continuous improvement of policy and practice. VIII. Gather evidence on the efficacy of the payment process and digital support in relation to recruitment to the full induction programme (FIP) included as part of the package.

The specification is likely to consist of some prescribed methods and reporting requirements; and, to complete the package of research, an invitation to bidders to suggest supplementary and / or complementary data collection approaches and reporting. Indicative details of the evaluation package are included in the Additional Information section.

Important: Details on how to register on to the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) are given in the 'addition text' section of this listing.

Additional information: **Important** We expect to procure this evaluation via the Government's CCS Research Marketplace DPS. Please register asap using the link 'Research Market Place' link provided in 'Links' section (if you are not already registered).

Furthermore, suppliers be also be required to register onto the Jaggaer esourcing system. You are encouraged to also register your organisation using the 'Jaggaer' link in the Links section.

Registration does not guarantee an invitation to tender. However, you should be registered on the systems to allow invitations to be sent. **

Further project information: Indicatively the evaluation proposal is likely to consist of: - Baseline, mid-point and end-point online surveys with engaged schools, mentor and early career teachers (potentially, with line managers and colleagues); - Case studies; (including longitudinal case studies across the life of the evaluation) - Focus groups (potentially up to five with different actors/stakeholders including, teachers; mentors; providers) - Desk research, analysis of monitoring information, School Workforce Census (SWC) and early rollout evidence available to date; - Qualitative interview with eligible schools that chose not to engage in ERO; and - Interim and final reports, input to a regular steering group. - Complementary methods to deliver near real-time insights on operational questions and challenges, and / or themes of interest and leading indicators of benefits or unwanted consequences.

Useful links included: (please see 'Links' section of this listing) - Early Career Framework (ECF) - Recruitment and Retention Strategy (DfE, 2019) - Induction for early career teachers (England) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) - Appropriate bodies guidance: induction and the early career framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Early Roll-Out (ERO) of the ECF commenced from September 2020 in four areas which involved: • Procuring four providers to design Core Induction Programmes (CIPs) which translated the ECF into a two-year structured programme of support. • The four providers then developed their CIP into a full training package, including delivery, termed the Full Induction Programme (FIP) which is currently being delivered to ERO schools. - This does not form part of this evaluation.

Note: This notice is for information only and is not a call for competition. The Department reserves the right not to enter a formal procurement process and not proceed with contract award. Accordingly, the Department will not be liable for any bid cost, expenditure, work or effort incurred by any organisation in acting on the basis of this Prior Information Notice.

All information included in this notice is indicative and subject to change.