Mid-Point Evaluation of the MAGNET Portfolio of Projects

Descriptions

BackgroundIn May 2013 VAMT undertook the project management of the BIG Lottery Community Voice portfolio of projects. The portfolio is called MAGNET – Merthyr Achieving Greater Networking and Empowerment Together.The vision for the portfolio was partly inspired by an ITV "Wales this Week" programme entitled "The Real Merthyr Tydfil". The programme stated that according to the press and politicians Merthyr Tydfil is deprived, disadvantaged and disillusioned. It questioned whether the facts support the reputation and interviewed contributors who suggested that Merthyr Tydfil needs to be re-branded and a more balanced picture presented.The aim of the portfolio is to put citizens' voices at the heart of local decision making so that their contribution to Merthyr Tydfil life is fully understood, recognised and used to wider positive effect including, finding solutions to local issues, conveying positive messages about the area and challenging negative perceptions.The portfolio includes seven projects being delivered by partner voluntary organisations;•Bridges – Safer Merthyr Tydfil. An engagement project with the gypsy / traveller community to build confidence and skills and create opportunities for effective engagement with the local authority, health service, police and shape policy and service design.Project Status – Project Worker in post 5th July 2013.•Focal Point – Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association in partnership with Polish Community of the Valleys Association. A project which will engage migrant workers to facilitate inclusion and also cohesion by improving cultural awareness in the wider community. The project will look to identify and support champions, create their own support groups and enable engagement with service providers to shape future services. The migrant workers primarily originate from Portugal, Poland and other eastern European countries.Project Status – Freelance consultant commissioned 28th October 2013.•One Voice – VAMT. This is an advocacy project to empower disabled persons to be able to speak up and create forums for disabled people to agree collective action and engage with service providers.Project Status – Project Worker in post 1st July 2013•Perthyn – Merthyr Valleys Homes. An inter-generational project between younger people and older people living in social housing which focuses on the customer experience over time of housing policies, investment and management policy of local social housing providers. The project will be delivered in Caedraw,Gurnos and Trelewis.Project Status – Project Worker in post 27th August 2013.•POSSIB – Canolfan Soar in partnership with 3G’s Development Trust. A bilingual arts project to engage residents within the Northern Communities First Cluster to give them the self-confidence, expertise and motivation to express themselves and the ambitions of their communities. The project will deal with issues surrounding health and wellbeing in differing social working aged men; and school aged children and their parents.Project Status – Project Worker in post 14th October 2013.•Up & Coming – Safer Merthyr Tydfil. A youth media project where young reporters will use both traditional and new media to convey positive messages about young people and Merthyr Tydfil, and also communicate with service providers and decision makers.Project Status – Project Worker in post 9th September 2013.•Visible – Safer Merthyr Tydfil. This is a project which will work with lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender (LGBT) persons to provide support, bring people together and promote the voice of LGBT communities within Merthyr Tydfil.Project Status – Project Worker in post 9th September 2013.The portfolio has four outcomes, each with three indicators:Outcome 1: Young people (ages11-24) and children have increased opportunities to engage with service providers and influence policy and services, and in the process, promote positive messages about young people and increase their participationa. Number young people/ children engaged in the outreach events and activitiesb. Number positive messages about young people emanating from projects and reported more widelyc. Number young people/ children who become more involved in activities to express needs, engage with service providers and shape servicesOutcome 2: Marginalised communities and communities of interest work with service providers to strengthen routes to influence service provision to meet their needsa. Number people from marginalised communities and communities of interest engaged in the portfolio project activitiesb. Number of forums/ engagement mechanisms established or strengthened for marginalised communities/communities of interestc. Number people from communities and communities of interest who undertake more detailed work to identify and express needs, engage with service providers and shape servicesOutcome 3: Communities, communities of interest and young people have access to improved services that are better at addressing their needsa. Number new services developed (by the public sector; through co-production with the public sector; or conceived and delivered by communities)b. Number using services and numbers reporting that services have improvedc. Number policies/public services influenced or changed to become more appropriate to needOutcome 4: Strengthened participation and engagement arrangements that communities have greater confidence ina. Number of public sector representatives (organisations, strategic partnerships, scrutiny committees, service provider agencies) that report a better understanding of citizen engagement and improved practice in their organisationsb. Number from communities who report having increased skills and knowledge and the confidence to make a differencec. Number from communities who report they are more positive about/ involved in the mechanisms and processes in place to have their voices heard and influence servicesAim•To evaluate the effectiveness of the processes and framework in place to manage the portfolio i.e. the steering group, monitoring and reporting processes, and how targets are being tracked.•To evaluate the impact of the projects i.e. is it reaching the right people and gaining ground in influencing services.•To evaluate if the projects are carrying out effective joint working between each other and strategic partners / public service providers.•To evaluate the relationships between the project beneficiaries and strategic partners / public service providers.ObjectivesThe contractor will undertake the work required to meet to enable the following within the stated timescale and budget:Design the methodology. June / JulyLink with the MAGNET Project ManagerJune / JulyLink with each of the Project Workers June / JulyDesk top review of processes and framework JulyConsult target groupsJuly / Aug / SeptConsult public service providers.July / Aug / SeptProduce report summarising findings.Sept / OctoberPresent report to MAGNET Steering GroupOctoberRequirementsThe contractor will need to have;•expertise in citizen engagement and participation•an understanding of evaluation frameworks in particular, Results Based Accountability.•proven expertise in evaluating project management systems•previous experience of working at a strategic level with statutory agencies•previous experience of work within the third sectorTimetableClosing date for submitted tenders: 6th May 2015Interview date for short listed tenders: 2nd June 2015Contract start date: 22nd June 2015 (approximately)Contract end date: 31st October 2015 (approximately)Contract Award CriteriaThe contract for the delivery of this project will be awarded on a best value basis also taking account of other factors. These will include:•The track record of the consultant•The demonstrated understanding of the purpose of the contract•The demonstrated ability to deliver the specified project within the agreed timetable•Previous experience of work within the third sector•Previous experience of working at a strategic level with statutory agenciesEvaluation CriteriaWeightingMeeting the specification 50%Track Record30%Budget20%Contract ManagementThe Tendering Officer and contact prior to application submission and for the duration of the contract will be with:Sally RichardsMAGNET Project ManagerVoluntary Action Merthyr TydfilVoluntary Action Centre89/90 PontmorlaisMerthyr TydfilCF47 8UHel. 01685 353904Email; sally.richards@vamt.netSubmission of tendersTenders should include comprehensive details of the proposal and a detailed outline of methodology to be used. A full budget for the proposal must also be included. Also included in the tender should be a portfolio of past work and a minimum of two references. The submission should also detail the process to be undertaken throughout the research and include the CVs of all personnel involved.Any costs up to and including the awarding of tenders will be borne by applicant organisations and will not be reimbursed.Two copies of the tender submission (of which at least one should be unbound and appropriate for photocopying) must arrive at the VAMT office no later than 1pm on 6th May 2015 . The envelope must be addressed to the Tendering Officer at the address stated above and marked “tender” and “MAGNET”.Tendering ProcedureThe tenders will be opened in the presence of a member of the VAMT Board and the Tendering Officer, who will record brief details of the tenders in the tender register. Copies of the tenders will be kept on file by VAMT.A shortlist of organisations will then be drawn together. Short-listed organisations will present their proposal and attend an interview by a panel comprised of VAMT staff and a VAMT Board member.ConfidentialityThe ownership of the application documents (including the intellectual property rights) will be held by Voluntary Action Merthyr Tydfil. Compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 will be required when dealing with information for this project.CostIt is estimated that the full cost of this project will not exceed £5,000 (inclusive of VAT).Travel and SubsistenceAny travel and subsistence expenses incurred by contractor in the delivery of the contract will be paid at a maximum of the VAMT rates (attached as an appendix) within the cost of this project.PaymentPayment will be made by cheque within 10 days of receipt of an invoice from the successful applicant. Payment will be made at the following stages:•30% to be paid at the beginning of the project•70% to be paid upon satisfactory completion of the projectChanges to the SpecificationThis specification document sets out the client’s current service requirement. It is possible that, during the life of the contract, changes, for example, in the nature and volume of the work and the timescale or other requirements will arise.Changes to the Specification will be implemented by issuing written amendments to all those affected by the changes.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=25669.