Case Study for Social Value & Human rights – Supply and Delivery of Teacher Portable Devices

Introduction

It was identified that there was a need to refresh over 20,400 teacher portable devices, the existing teacher devices needed updated to ensure that they were fit for purpose and offered practitioners the flexibility to deliver a pupil centred learning approach, which will elevate the learner experience and allow teachers to seamlessly deliver best practise along with digital learning opportunities. To maximise the potential of the digital resources currently available within schools and beyond, teachers require reliable, up-to-date devices that support latest developments in educational technology to deliver dynamic and personalised learning.

Objectives/Issues

In support of the Draft Programme for Government 2016-21, the Education Authority (EA) Interim Strategic Plan 2017-2027 sets out EA’s vision ‘to be inspiring, supporting and challenging all our children to be the best that they can be’. To do this we need to ensure:-

  • An understanding that products and services need to be innovative against a backdrop of being cost-effective
  • Training and delivery to demonstrate a positive return on investment whilst delivering improved educational outcomes and attainment
  • Professional development strategies that incorporate different modes of delivery
  • Investment in new technologies, where partnering with specialists delivers added value and better return on effort

The draft PfG wants people and communities in Northern Ireland to fulfil their potential and is committed to supporting those in need to develop their confidence, capability, and necessary skills, in order to build an innovative, creative society for Northern Ireland.
This significant contract with an estimated value of £19million needed to deliver leading edge technology combined with supportive professional development strategies for practitioners so that maximum value could be attained from each new device. In addition, it was important to ensure that the contract addressed PGN 05/21 Human Rights in Procurement and that appointed contractors addressed human rights through its supply chain.

Actions/Outcome

Although PPN 01/21 refers to scoring social value for service and works contracts, due to the value of this contract and also to help achieve the EA’s objectives in support of EA strategic aims, the successful contractor was required to deliver measurable social value outcomes of a 20% weighting for Teacher Professional Learning and 5% for End to End Sustainability Strategy.

Teacher Professional Learning Opportunities for End Users

The Contractor has developed a programme that mirrors the strategic priorities within the Education Authority Interim Strategic Plan 2017-2022, it will focus on meeting the learning needs of all students, seeking excellence in services, developing all people, managing resources well and nurturing digital leadership.

The Contractor and EA agreed a co-designed Teacher Professional Learning approach supported by practitioners in schools. A new governance group was established in the EA’s Education Directorate to oversee the Teacher Professional Learning opportunities for end users to develop the culture, training and support needed; baseline the starting points of teachers in terms of their technology expertise and identify success metrics for the programme and provide teachers with powerful devices, ensuring every teacher is fully conversant with; the key features of the portable device they will receive; the prime software and learning applications and how the technology can amplify the teaching strategies that work best.

End-to End Sustainability Strategy

Through assessing sustainable criteria the EA has a Contractor and product that are aligned to EA’s commitment to the responsible use and protection of natural resources and carbon footprint reduction.
The Contractor has identified the following principles as levers to improve recyclability of their devices over time:

  • Ease of disassembly.
  • Eliminate mixed materials and limit the number of material types and composites.
  • Limit use of films and coatings that inhibit recycling.
  • Limit or eliminate hazardous materials to improve recyclability and reduce risk to recycler workers
  • Committed to 100% recyclable packaging by 2030 and support recycling programs around the world that cover their devices, batteries, and packaging.

The Contractor will work with EA to ensure benefits are maximised from the sustainability strategy to ensure maximum reduction of carbon emissions and looking toward a carbon neutral/negative future state.

Human Rights and Social Value

The procurement process had a mandatory requirement for tenderers to comply with PPN05/21 including all human rights legislation and, additionally to PPN 01/21 in relation to collective agreements and fair work practices, and also included the additional assurances of compliance required during the contract. Both the successful contractor and the manufacturer of the devices actively promote equality through both their work forces and supply chains and have Human Rights and Modern Slavery statements based on the principals of the UN guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The manufacturer of the devices core value is that their technology is for the good of humanity, overcomes discrimination, exclusion, or oppression and is a key area within their statements.

Conclusion

The inclusion of social value as an evaluation criterion has helped to drive Social Value enhancements within the contract delivery as teachers become more confident and competent in digital delivery with improved educational outcomes. This case study demonstrates that it is possible to evaluate social value in supply contracts and that these can also contribute to PfG outcomes and organisational outcomes. In addition the case study demonstrates how the EA is contributing to the requirements of PPN 05/21 Human Rights in Public Procurement.

Last updated: 25/11/2022