Local Evaluation of the Start for Life and Family Hubs Programme

The Start for Life (SfL) and Family Hubs Programme in Kent is a key transformation strategy for KCC, closely aligned with delivery of the KCC’s Communities Programme (including the review and consultation around KCC’s community buildings, Children’s Centres and Youth Hubs) and fulfilment of strategic priorities for children, young people and families outlined in Framing Kent’s Future.
KCC is looking to commission an independent, external evaluation of the Start for Life and Family Hubs Programme in Kent which will complement the core programme monitoring requirements and provide insights into the outcomes and impacts achieved through programme implementation to inform longer-term service planning and sustainability considerations.

As this is a developing programme, with elements of programme delivery at different stages of scoping, commissioning and implementation, the provider will be expected to work flexibly with KCC as the programme scope evolves.

The overall requirement is as follows:
1) Develop a co-created theory of change for the evaluation to explore and articulate the intended outcomes for families in Kent. This will include exploration of the national and local policy context, as well as details of the assumptions and evidence base in theorising how Kent’s model will secure those outcomes.

2) Expand on the theory of change by developing a logic model and a blueprint to articulate the relationship between the resources, activities, outputs, outcomes and impacts and to inform further implementation of the model and sustainability considerations. The logic model should identify the outcome measures and other data needed, to complement national reporting requirements set out by the DfE : https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1096786/Family_Hubs_and_Start_for_Life_programme_guide.pdf (p59)

3) To develop and refine a robust overarching evaluation plan, (which may be supported by individual evaluation frameworks as required, for example Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research) to explore the proposed strands below:

o Implementation and Performance Evaluation: identifying the factors that support successful implementation and service delivery for the Start for Life (SfL) and Family Hubs within Kent County Council and any opportunities to improve.

o Outcomes and Impact Evaluation: which explores the contribution that enhanced and new services developed as part of the SfL & Family Hubs offer are making to improving outcomes for families.

o Cost-effectiveness Evaluation: to explore the ways in which interventions may have made the difference intended, as part of understanding the (cost) effectiveness of the model in Kent.

4) To identify, gather, review and analyse relevant data sources and evidence to support enquiry across the evaluation scope, working with multiagency partners to achieve this. The requirement includes reviewing existing data sources, both internal and external to KCC, as well as proposing and undertaking additional data collection as required. This will include undertaking qualitative data collection through engagement with families, partners and stakeholders using methods including video diaries, family journeys, ethnographics and semi-structured interviews. Additionally, the provider will carry out a ‘Kent Residents awareness survey’ to understand familiarity with the Family Hubs model, engaging members of the public who may or may not be aware of the programme.

5) To ensure all aspects of the evaluation are conducted following best practice principles, such as those set out by the UK Evaluation Society, including ensuring ethical practice (ensuring ethical approvals are gained as required) and the adoption of a trauma informed approach at all times.

6) To ensure that the evaluation and all aspects of data collection and processing are scoped and delivered with full compliance to UK GDPR and in line with KCC’s Terms and Conditions relating to information governance.

7) To deliver interim and final evaluation reports, with recommendations, in line with the timescales set out at in the requirement and to provide updates at agreed review points.

8) To co-produce an accessible summary of the evaluation findings with families. This could be in easy-read or visual format, or as a bite-size video or animation.

9) To contribute to a virtual learning event sharing findings from the final evaluation report and/or attendance at stakeholder meetings as needed, to be agreed between KCC and the provider before the end of the contract.

All requests for clarification must be received by 20 December 2023 by 12pm (midday) via the KBP messaging facility.