Diagnostic and transformation programme

Tender description

Local government across the UK is facing a challenging financial landscape, with rising demand for services, increasing costs, and constraints on funding. Oldham Council is no exception, facing significant demand pressures across key services, particularly within Children's Services, Adults' Social Care, and Temporary Accommodation. This diagnostic will provide an evidence-based approach to managing these pressures, ensuring services remain sustainable while improving outcomes for residents. The Council is seeking a delivery partner to undertake a diagnostic assessment that identifies cost-saving opportunities, operational efficiencies, and new ways of working that will better manage demand and enhance service quality. Lot 1: Key Outcomes and Deliverables The diagnostic should deliver, in line with all relevant and required legislation: 1. A comprehensive understanding of demand drivers, financial pressures, market management and service capacity across Children's Services, Adults' Social Care, and Temporary Accommodation. 2. Independent benchmarking data and analysis, positioning Oldham alongside statistical neighbours across a range of metrics, including all available cost, workforce, and delivery performance matrix. 3. A set of prioritised, practical strategies for bringing areas of overspend under control, including short- and medium-term actions, with an assessment of probability of delivery success and the likely pay off. 4. An implementation roadmap, to be mutually agreed, outlining required activities, timelines, benefits, risks, and delivery mechanisms. 5. Detailed internal business cases for investment in demand management and prevention. 6. Clear and deliverable recommendations for reshaping the corporate centre, ensuring its capacity and alignment with frontline service demands. 7. A strengthened approach to using data and insight for decision-making, including practical applications of AI and Power BI for future use, with embedded dashboards for continuous monitoring and action. 8. A model of co-design and collaboration that empowers staff, supports the development of our culture ambitions and builds internal capability for transformation.