Delphi Study: Eliminating profit from the care of looked after children

Description

The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government contains a number of key commitments that set out its vision to transform the provision of children’s social care in Wales. Within the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, there is a clear commitment to ‘eliminate private profit from the care of looked after children.’ The aim is to ensure that public money invested in the care of children – starting with children’s home and fostering services – does not profit individuals or corporate entities, but instead is entirely used to support these services: to deliver better experiences and outcomes for young people; to support service development; and develop sustainable and affordable children’s care services into the future. The Welsh Government does not believe there should be a market for the care of children, or that profits should be made from supporting young people facing particular challenges in their lives. Therefore, the Welsh Ministers intend to bring forward legislation to end this, which means the future care of children that are looked after by their local authorities in Wales will be provided by public sector or not-for-profit organisations. It is intended that a Bill (primary legislation) will be introduced during the current Senedd term to support delivery of this commitment. From this point onwards, this notice refers to “children looked after” instead of the legal term “looked after children”, as the Welsh Government understands this is preferred by those who have lived experience of care. The purpose of the work is to obtain a systematic analysis – based upon such evidence as can be obtained and informed by expert judgement – which assesses the extent to which implementing the commitment to ‘eliminate private profit from the care of looked after children’ would maintain or improve outcomes for children looked after in Wales (both directly and through supporting general improvements to the wider children’s social care system) and deliver a more sustainable care system. It will also explore and articulate how this would do so. The Welsh Government is looking for an independent contractor to undertake a comprehensive and robust appraisal of the potential benefits and adverse consequences associated with implementing the commitment to ‘eliminate private profit from the care of children looked after’. Given limited published evidence on the matter, it is suggested the focus of this appraisal draws on informed expert judgement. Fulfilment of this contract should build on an initial review of published evidence – which will be shared with the successful contractor – as well as considering relevant inspection, enforcement, and other data accessible from Care Inspectorate Wales and responses to the Welsh Government’s recent consultation on key aspects of the proposed legislation . These will help inform the content of the study, and its conclusions in relation to Wales. Welsh Government will work with the successful contractor to identify and support engagement with appropriate experts/representatives/sources. A Delphi study is proposed as the means to obtain this informed expert judgement and consider wider opinion in a systematic manner; therefore, tenderers must have experience in the use of this methodology. In addition, tenderers are required have expertise in the area of social care research, or public services research, more broadly. Please see the ITQ and its Annexes for full details, including the specification. This study is required to be undertaken and reported on by 28 June 2024. To create an electronic response go to the following link https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/supplier/postbox/ResponseWorkspace.aspx The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents