Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Department for Education
Sanctuary Buildings, 20, Great Smith Street
London
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Reducing Court Delays Delivery Partner
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79411000 - General management consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement at the time of conclusion of the contract:
DfE is seeking a Delivery Partner to deliver a new pilot from January 2024 to March 2025 aimed at reducing delays in the family justice (FJ) system by working with Local Authorities (LAs) in Designated Family Judge (DFJ) areas to develop and implement solutions to tackle the root causes of delay.
The FJ system is one of the most complex and cross-system policy areas in children’s services. DfE holds responsibility for public law, covering all vulnerable children in England who require LA intervention.
2.3. Unacceptable delays in the family courts have been a long-standing issue for over 10 years. In 2011, the average case duration (for cases when a social worker (SW) determines that a child is at significant risk, so applies for an order) was c55 weeks, with some cases taking more than two years to conclude. This results in poorer outcomes for children and huge additional costs to LAs and the taxpayer. The estimated costs of the FJ system is £1.2bn , which equates to over 10% of all direct expenditure on the children’s social care (CSC) system (2019/20) .
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
14
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
con_24070
Title
Reducing Court Delays Delivery Partner
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:
19 November 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract/concession has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Mutual Ventures Ltd
2
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (at the time of conclusion of the contract;excluding VAT)
Total value of the procurement: £1,201,305
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Department for Education
Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT
Country
United Kingdom
Section seven: Modifications to the contract/concession
seven.1) Description of the procurement after the modifications
seven.1.1) Main CPV code
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
seven.1.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
seven.1.4) Description of the procurement:
Delivery Partner to deliver a new pilot from January 2024 to March 2025 aimed at reducing delays in the family justice (FJ) system by working with Local Authorities (LAs) in Designated Family Judge (DFJ) areas to develop and implement solutions to tackle the root causes of delay.
The FJ system is one of the most complex and cross-system policy areas in children’s services. DfE holds responsibility for public law, covering all vulnerable children in England who require LA intervention.
2.3. Unacceptable delays in the family courts have been a long-standing issue for over 10 years. In 2011, the average case duration (for cases when a social worker (SW) determines that a child is at significant risk, so applies for an order) was c55 weeks, with some cases taking more than two years to conclude. This results in poorer outcomes for children and huge additional costs to LAs and the taxpayer. The estimated costs of the FJ system is £1.2bn , which equates to over 10% of all direct expenditure on the children’s social care (CSC) system (2019/20) .
seven.1.5) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months
14
seven.1.6) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession:
£1,201,305
seven.1.7) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Mutual Ventures Ltd
2-6 Boundary Row, London, SE1 8HP
London
SE1 8HP
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
seven.2) Information about modifications
seven.2.1) Description of the modifications
Nature and extent of the modifications (with indication of possible earlier changes to the contract):
Modification to the scope of work for further Learning Expansion: (needs analysis), (accountability analysis) and DFJ Merger
seven.2.2) Reasons for modification
Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire.
Description of the economic or technical reasons and the inconvenience or duplication of cost preventing a change of contractor:
the work is within the original scope of the requirement and allows for the the broader dissemination of programme learning to the wider sector and enhance the immediate impact of the programme but also ensure its long-term success and scalability
seven.2.3) Increase in price
Updated total contract value before the modifications (taking into account possible earlier contract modifications, price adaptions and average inflation)
Value excluding VAT: £201,305
Total contract value after the modifications
Value excluding VAT: £1,201,305