Provision of Youth Digital Safety and Online Harms

C. Subject matter and initial scope

MVRP intends to undertake preliminary market engagement to inform the potential development of a future commissioning opportunity relating to youth digital safety and online harms across Merseyside.

The initial scope is to explore how a coordinated public health approach could support children and young people to be safe and well online and to have the confidence, agency and support to thrive in digital environments. The engagement will explore existing provision, strategic and practice gaps, workforce capability, prevention approaches, partnership models, evidence and evaluation, and the feasibility of future delivery options.

Potential areas of focus include: (1) building system capability through workforce development, guidance, resources, communities of practice and evidence translation; and (2) local authority test-and-learn pilots to explore place-based approaches such as digital youth work, targeted prevention, safeguarding pathways and peer approaches. These are areas for exploration and are not a final specification or commitment to procure.

D. Purpose of the preliminary market engagement

The engagement is intended to help MVRP understand national, regional and local provision; identify strengths, gaps and emerging evidence; explore partnership and delivery options; assess market capacity; and inform future commissioning priorities, service design, procurement strategy and evaluation.

The engagement is open to relevant organisations, including charities, community and voluntary sector organisations, social enterprises, private-sector providers, public-sector organisations, researchers, partnerships and consortia. Smaller and specialist organisations are welcome to contribute.

E. Proposed engagement process

MVRP proposes to invite written responses through an accompanying Supplier Questionnaire organised around six themes: Strategic Need and Local Priorities; Policy, Practice and Intervention; Building Capability and Confidence; Public Health Prevention; Partnership, Systems Leadership and Sustainability; and Innovation, Learning and Future Development.

Engagement method(s): Written questionnaire

F. Indicative future procurement approach

No final procurement model has been determined. MVRP may consider a single strategic partner, multiple providers, partnership or consortium delivery, specialist lots or a mixed model. Market engagement findings will inform whether and how any future procurement is taken forward, subject to approval, funding and applicable procurement requirements.

G. Important procurement information

This notice invites participation in preliminary market engagement and is not a tender notice, call for competition or invitation to submit a bid. MVRP is not committing to proceed with a procurement or to award a contract. Participation does not guarantee involvement in a future procurement and does not confer preferential treatment.

MVRP will take appropriate steps to ensure that participation in preliminary market engagement does not give a supplier an unfair advantage or otherwise distort competition. Information gathered may be used to inform the future requirement and procurement approach. Any subsequent procurement will be conducted in accordance with the applicable legal and procurement framework.

Please email laura.fawcett@merseyside.police.uk to request the supplier questionnaire.