An impact assessment of the support provided by the Doncaster CVS Social Enterprise Development Team and Urban Biz to would be/established social enterprises and the identification of future support needs of the sector.
Select Tender brief for Consultants
11th January 2010
Background
Doncaster CVS Social Enterprise Development (SED) team has provided a programme of support to would be and established social enterprise since 2005.
This impact assessment is required to focus upon the period April 2008 to February 2010. During which time the team have operated under the Business Start Up and Mentoring Social Enterprise contract commissioned by the Success Doncaster programme (DMBC), due to conclude end March 2010.
This contract is delivered in partnership with Urban Biz, a values led social business that provides specialist support to the BAME community.
Doncaster CVS SED team and Urban Biz work with enterprises to help them attain their business goals and their social aspirations. This support is mainly delivered on a bespoke one to one basis as the social enterprise sector is so diverse. The teams offer support to organisations with funding and finance, business planning, organisational development and preparation to contract with public bodies.
SED and Urban Biz Remit
The social enterprise sector in Doncaster continues to develop for 2 key reasons. Firstly, as more voluntary and community based organisations recognise the need to diversify and make a cultural shift from being grant reliant to adopt a mixed funding and finance strategy. Secondly, as more groups and individuals become dissatisfied with simply having profit as a motive for starting a business and want to make more of a contribution to other social agendas.
SED and Urban Biz provide Specialist support to help successfully set up, develop and sustain social enterprises.
Social enterprises are supported to start up through providing:
• Confidential and impartial advice about the viability of enterprising ideas
• Advice on legal structure for enterprises
• Identifying customers
• Financial planning and forecasts
• Signposting to sources of finance and support to access
• Networking and events
• Access to regular and relevant information
Existing Social Enterprises are supported through providing:
• In-depth business advice to help grow and sustain enterprises
• Business strategy and planning
• Operational management and review
• Marketing – market research, planning and communication
• Sales management
• New product or service development
• Networking and events
• Access to regular and relevant information
Incorporation Support Fund
In addition to these services organisations have access to the Incorporation Support Fund. This provides a small grant (maximum £500) to enable organisations to access legal support when adopting a relevant legal structure. For example, Company Limited by Guarantee or Community Interest Company (CIC). The SED team within CVS manages this fund.
CSEP (Community Social Enterprise Partnership)
To complement the direct support services delivered by SED and Urban Biz the CSEP network is supported. This has a dedicated Coordinator. The network is a resource for the sector in Doncaster giving members the benefits of:
• Access to CSEP website, www.doncastercsep.org.uk
• Free listing in the on-line directory
• Regular and relevant business information, advice and services
• Opportunities to reach new contacts and form partnerships
• Opportunities to participate in social enterprise trade fairs, events and workshops
The Coordinator has responsibility for organising and delivering a series of themed events to promote partnership working, trading, marketing and organisational development. One of these events is an annual social enterprise Showcase (trade fair).
It should be noted that during the period of this assessment, CSEP’s activities were directed and steered by a management committee. However due to reduced resources and a change of priorities the committee was disbanded mid 2009.
Staffing
Staffing resources from April 08 within SED was reduced by 3 Advisers due to the termination of funding. The current staff team within SED is 1 Manager (30 hours per week) 2 x Enterprise Advisers (37 hours per week) 1 Network Coordinator and 1 Admin Officer (18.5 hours per week). Staffing within Urban Biz is 1 Enterprise adviser (20 hours per week).
Aims of the Tender
Doncaster CVS and Urban Biz are seeking a consultant to carry out an Impact Assessment. We require:
• An assessment of the impact that business assistance provided by Enterprise Advisers has made to both would be and established Social Enterprises in all communities.
• An assessment of the impact that access to CSEP network and participation in events has made to both would be and established Social Enterprises.
• The assessment to provide an understanding of the difference made, evidenced by financial gains/losses, turnover and job creation/safeguarding.
• The assessment to deliver a qualitative analysis of the barriers and opportunities affected by SED team and Urban Biz.
• The assessment to identify what clients felt was good about the service and what was not so good, through both quantitative and qualitative information, such as case studies.
• The assessment to identify future support needs of the sector and ideas for how this could or should be delivered.
Principles of Selection
Submissions will be assessed using the following criteria:
Method and Clarity (maximum score 40)
Price (maximum score 20)
Evidence of previous experience of social enterprise (maximum score 20)
and of similar work to a high quality standard.
Project Timetable (maximum score 20)
Total 100
Contractors may be interviewed if further information is required, face to face or telephone.
Finance
The total finance for this work is £7,500 inclusive of VAT. Financial arrangements will be agreed at the commissioning stage. If a proportion of the fee is required in advance this should be made clear in the breakdown and reasons given why this is necessary.
General
Regular updates (email/telephone conversation) on progress between SED/Urban Biz and the appointed consultant are expected at least fortnightly. A timetable and communication strategy will be agreed at an inception meeting.
Copyright of all other intellectual property rights in any work carried out by the consultant in performance of this assessment shall be and remain at all times the property of Doncaster CVS and Urban Biz. Background data to the reports should be provided to Doncaster CVS in electronic format.
Consultants submitting a tender will be expected to provide the following information as a minimum:
• Details of the organisation/individual submitting the tender, including a single named contact
• Details of the process to be undertaken in completing the work outlined within this tender including timescales
• Submission of full and detailed costing of the work they propose to undertake. Please give a breakdown including daily rates, overhead/admin charges or any other charges (if relevant)
• A resume of previous work experience in this field (plus CV of all persons to be involved in the work)
• Contact details of at least 2 referees
The SED manager will act as a key contact for both CVS and Urban Biz and will monitor the project and expect face to face meetings with the consultant at appropriate intervals to evaluate progress and direction.
Consultants will be expected to demonstrate the following as a minimum
• A commitment to diversity and equal opportunities
• Value for Money
• Experience of similar work delivered to deadlines and to high quality standards
• Experience of working with the Third Sector as well as statutory organisations
• Ability to deliver the work within the timescale required.
Timescales
• The deadline for receipt of tenders is 12 Noon on the 27th January 2010
• Consultants will be notified of outcome 29th January 2010
• Work to commence 1st February 2010
• Work to conclude and final report submitted by 12 Noon Friday 27th February
Presentation
The successful consultant will be required to present the findings to both Doncaster CVS SED team and Urban Biz.
Final Documentation
Three hard copies of the final report should be submitted. An electronic copy in Microsoft word or Adobe Acrobat to be emailed to the SED team manager.
Contacts
For further details contact Janet Gillott SED Manager Doncaster CVS 5/6 Trafford Court Doncaster DN1 1PN. Telephone 01302 343300 ext 217, email jgillott@doncastercvs.org.uk
Tender Address
Completed tender details including price quotations should be sent by post or email to Janet Gillott at the address above, marked private and confidential.
