Invitation to tender: An evaluation of impacts of housing association health interventions

Transcription

1 Invitation to tender: An evaluation of impacts of housing association health interventions 1. Introduction The National Housing Federation is the voice of affordable housing in England. We believe that everyone should have the home they need at a price they can afford. That s why we represent the work of housing associations and campaign for better housing. Our members provide more than two and a half million homes for more than five million people. Each year they invest in a diverse range of neighbourhood projects that help create strong, vibrant communities. The Federation is commissioning research to gather in-depth evidence on a range of different health interventions/initiatives run by housing associations both independently and in partnership. Through this work we expect to be able to demonstrate the value that housing associations bring to the health sector and wider society through their work in the community. We are looking for a tender that can provide a robust evaluation from all the evidence available, ultimately through a cost-benefit analysis, however, we also recognise that where a cost-benefit analysis approach isn t feasible, there may be other evaluative methods that can be utilised such as through the use of surveys and analysis of secondary data. 2. Background Good housing helps people stay healthy, with warm, dry homes and access to green space making a big impact on people s wellbeing. That s why the high-quality homes built and managed by housing associations make such a big contribution to healthy communities, preventing illness caused by damp, cold conditions and overcrowding. Housing associations also support the country s health and social care needs more broadly. They provide specialist housing and support for older people and those with health issues, both mental and physical, which helps people live independently, reduces the likelihood of hospitalisation, and eases pressure on the NHS. Our members also provide housing and support services to people undergoing challenging life transitions, such people experiencing homelessness or leaving care, helping them overcome barriers and live to their full potential. Partnerships between housing associations and NHS providers can reduce pressures on the NHS and improve an individual's overall wellbeing. Lion Court 25 Procter Street London WC1V 6NY Tel: Fax: info@housing.org.uk Website: The Federation are aiming to showcase the positive contribution that housing associations are making to improve the health of their communities and to the wider society. This includes work our members currently undertake on substance misuse, healthy eating, falls prevention and fuel poverty to name a few. Many of these initiatives bring positive benefits to the NHS by, for example, saving precious budget and resources. However, there has been a lack of robust evidence demonstrating the costs and benefits and net benefit that they provide. As such it has been difficult to demonstrate the net impacts and subsequent savings and benefits to the NHF and to wider society. The first phase of this project has consisted of a survey that went out to members asking about the health initiatives that they are involved in. The survey received a good response rate with 204 Housing Associations responding to the survey, we received information about 641 interventions of which 461 provided at least a short summary. The most detailed level of initiative gave information about the type of initiative, target groups, partnerships, funding details and the outcomes that are Registered office: Lion Court, 25 Procter Street London WC1V 6NY 1 A company with limited liability Registered in England No

2 measured. The evidence gathered through this first phase provides an excellent basis for the next stage of this research commission. This data will form the basis for the case studies to be identified and chosen for the in-depth cost-benefit analysis. 3. Aim and objectives The aim of the research is to evaluate and provide robust evidence, and where possible a quantification, of the value-for-money or net benefits of a range of different housing association health initiatives. You may also like to refer to government guidance on carrying out evaluations and subsequent value for money analysis within the HM Treasury s Magenta Book on evaluation. HACT have also published standards of evidence in housing, with care, support and health which give a consideration of different research methods and their relative strengths and weaknesses within this area. In order to achieve the aim we are looking to achieve the following objectives: To engage with a number of case study housing associations and the undertaking of several in-depth health case studies of a variety of types; A full evaluation of these health initiatives demonstrating their effectiveness and value for money; Cost-benefit analyses that can stand up to scrutiny expected within the health evidence sector and in government; A detailed report detailing findings on each case study to be produced by the agreed deadline 4. Activities and outputs 4.1. Case study data collection and analysis Whilst we will provide some initial background data that will provide the basis for the selection of the case studies, the successful tenderer will need to bring the relevant housing association on-board and undertake further engagement to gain a detailed understanding about the initiative. In particular, they will need to work closely with the associations to provide any relevant data or evidence to inform the quantification and monetisation of the costs and benefits in order to carry out the cost-benefit analysis. The successful tenderer will then run the analysis that provides a quantifiable costbenefit analysis and share the findings with the Federation. We also expect the successful tenderer to provide a full and clear description of the methodology used and, if applicable, an explanation and sharing of any modelling tools that were used for the analysis (so that they can be re-used). As well as this there should be an explanation of any assumptions used and how costs and benefits were derived Our ultimate aim would be for the successful tenderer to deliver an in-depth cost benefit analysis across a variety of initiatives, quantifying and demonstrating their net benefits to society. This will be achieved by drawing on a number of initiatives from our in-house survey of our members that have the most potential impact and that are most likely to be able and willing to demonstrate a range of costs and benefits data. However, we also recognise that there are likely to be challenges in 2

3 accessing data and being able to quantify and monetise the relevant costs and benefits within the timetable and available resource. This could, for example, be by assessing initiatives through the outcome data that they already measure. Many of the benefits considered are likely to be related to direct savings for the NHS, be it through reduced burden on the NHS through fewer/shorter hospital/gp visits or by accident prevention. As such, some of the data may need to be partial or more qualitative in nature. For example, Horton Housing Association undertook an analysis of their award winning health and well-being initiative. The study involved an in-depth study of six cases and was able to quantify a saving of over 280k as a result of their prevention work around bed-blocking: From our survey research we have identified several main types of initiatives, we would expect the research to centre around case studies. The types of initiatives we have identified of interest are: Saved NHS time/resource (prevented falls, GP/A&E visits) Stepdown services Wellbeing Signposting Whilst we envisage the successful tenderer using the data we have provided from our first stage survey, we are also open to proposals that provide a credible approach to creating or complementing these sources with new data. Equally, we are interested to understand what evidence gaps there may be and how best to overcome them. The tender document should clearly lay out the approach that will be used and the type of initiative that it will provide a cost-benefit analysis for, as well as a clear explanation of the output that will be generated from the analysis. We also welcome any suggestion on how to bridge any gaps in the evidence of a particular type of initiative; this could be through the use of alternative evaluative methods Reporting The work should provide a report containing: A clear and detailed explanation of the initiatives that are selected, their background and the benefits that they bring to the community The methodology chosen, with details of why it was chosen and how it will be implemented A cost benefit analysis of the selected initiatives and a written report for each initiative Clear visualisations (graphs, charts, maps) of the analysed data The successful tenderer should also provide interim findings that detail the case studies that have been selected, the proposed methodology and any modelling that is to be carried out. The scope and proposed structure of the final report should also be clearly identified. The final report will be published on the Federation website. 3

4 5. Timetable This timetable sets out the milestones for this project. The consultants appointed to this work need to have the capacity to deliver the work within our required timeframe. We are happy to discuss potential variation of this timeline providing we can meet the end of financial year target for the output. Completion date Milestone / Output / Activity 08/01/2016 Responses to Tender deadline 19th & 20 th January w/c 01/02/2016 w/c 15/02/2016 Tender Board Contract signed / Inception meeting Interim Report due 25/03/2016 Final Report due 6. Project management and arrangements Our research manager, Nick di Paolo, will oversee the progress of this project. The work will be steered by an internal NHF steering group made up of colleagues from our research and policy team. We expect short informal updates on a weekly basis, and will monitor the project both formally and informally. Your tender document should identify a single contract manager for your organisation, who will have responsibility for delivery against the contract and for any sub-contractors. The contractor manager will be expected to maintain close contact with our research team, agreeing each stage of the project, including detailed methods. The Federation reserves the right to use the outputs to produce further and updated analysis as appropriate. We reserve the right to use the outputs for other reports, press work, publications and our lobbying work, including formal written submissions. The contractual agreement will need to reflect the Federation s ability to use the entirety of the outputs. 7. Tendering requirements and submission arrangements Please send a tender of up to four pages including: 1. A description of the proposed approach to this project in particular a detailed description of your approach to measuring the cost benefit of the health initiatives and the expected outcomes of your analysis. 2. Timetable with milestones; 3. Cost of the proposed research and allocation of staff time including VAT- of named individuals allocated against key tasks; 4. Summary of skills and relevant experience of each person to fulfil identified tasks. 4

5 Tenders will be assessed on the following criteria: 1. How well the proposal addresses the aims and objectives of the specification in terms of the proposed research and analytical processes, and outputs; 2. Relevant knowledge and experience of the analysis team and capacity and capability to undertake and deliver within the desired timescale; 3. Proposed team composition, expertise and track record; 4. Cost / value for money. Tender documents should be sent via to: Nick di Paolo, Research Manager Research@housing.org.uk Tenders should be received by 5pm on the 8th of January 2016 We will be happy to discuss any aspects of this work in advance of a tender being submitted. 5