Specialist Lived Experience Provider for Multiple Disadvantage Programme

MHCLG seeks to commission a specialist lived experience organisation to support the central team, local authorities, and other partners to embed meaningful lived experience involvement in the next iteration of the Multiple Disadvantage (MD) Programme. This will include:

• developing local lived experience groups;
• enhancing participation infrastructure;
• ensuring lived experience informs programme design, delivery, evaluation, and national learning across government.

MHCLG's aim is to improve public service delivery for people experiencing multiple disadvantage by ensuring that individuals with lived experience have a central and sustained role in shaping strategy, practice, co-production, local workforce development, and system change.

To ensure that the Social Value aspects of the evaluation criteria for this procurement are fair and proportionate, MHCLG invites Potential Suppliers to consider the following, and share feedback on their practicality and impact:

Mission: Take back our Streets - by halving serious violent crime and raising confidence in the police and criminal justice system to its highest.

Outcome: 5. Support the reduction in crime through community cohesion, awareness raising and action.

Model Award Criteria: 5a. Influence staff, suppliers, customers and communities through the delivery of the contract to support the reduction in domestic abuse.

Mission: Build an NHS fit for the future that is there when people need it; with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers; in a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer.

Outcome: 8. Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: in the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

Model Award Criteria: 8a. Support health and wellbeing in the contract workforce, including physical and mental health.

Potential Suppliers are advised to consult the Cabinet Office Social Value Policy Note (PPN 002): Taking account of social value in the award of contracts. This guidance sets out the model evaluation questions, award criteria, response guidance, and reporting metrics for each outcome to assist in understanding MHCLG's approach to Social Value.

Outputs/ Deliverables

Recruitment, Training and Development of Lived Experience Leaders.

• Provide support to programme areas in recruitment, training and development of individuals with lived experience of Multiple Disadvantage.
• Deliver guidance on governance, safeguarding, remuneration, and participation standards to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Facilitate the active involvement of lived experience leaders in programme co-design and evaluation processes.

Ongoing Co-Production Support for Local Areas

• Provide practical support to local authorities in establishing and maintaining lived experience groups or equivalent participation forums.
• Promote and embed effective co-production practices at both strategic and operational levels.
• Support local areas to involve individuals with lived experience in commissioning, service design and design-making processes.

National Communities of Practice

• Develop and facilitate communities of practice for professionals and lived experience leaders across programme areas to support collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• Share evidence, best practice, tools, and innovative approaches relating to co-production.
• Establish and maintain peer support networks and create opportunities for cross-area learning opportunities.

Manage the Mutual Mentoring Scheme

• Implement a structured mentoring scheme that pairs individuals with lived experience and Civil Servants/ professionals to facilitate shared learning and collaboration.
• Provide opportunities for skills development, enhance policy understanding, and strengthen cultural change within systems.

Evidence and learning outputs

• Collate evidence of the impact of lived experience involvement across programme areas.
• Produce communication and learning products (e.g. blogs, podcasts, articles, videos, reports and webinars).
• Provide insights into inform programme governance, policy development, learning events and evaluation activities.

Project management and expenses

• Undertake core project management responsibilities to ensure effective delivery of the service.
• Provide monthly regular written progress reports detailing deliverables, milestones and activities.
• Manage and report costs associated with lived experience participation, including travel, incentives and support.

Subject to confirmation of the requirement, it is anticipated that the procurement process will commence in early March 2026, with contract award expected around May 2026. These dates are provided for indicative purposes only. MHCLG reserves the right to amend these timelines at any stage, and Potential Suppliers should note that reliance on these dates is entirely at their own risk.