Welsh Justice Research Programme

Description

The Welsh Government wish to commission a programme of research to inform and assist with preparations for the potential devolution of policing and justice functions to Wales. The programme of work will respond to various commissions into the constitutional arrangements in Wales and their findings around justice, as well as contributing and building upon existing research relating to the devolution of justice. Lot 1: The programme of work will respond to various commissions into the constitutional arrangements in Wales and their findings around justice, as well as contributing and building upon existing research relating to the devolution of justice. The research programme will provide three areas of work: To assist in the assessment of preparedness, capacity and capability for further devolution of justice and policing functions and powers within Welsh Government, as well as potentially within the Senedd and partner and stakeholder organisations in the justice, policing and legal and advice sectors in Wales. To inform discussions and developments relating to the devolution of justice and policing functions and powers, and to consider existing practices to improve outcomes under the current constitutional arrangements. The primary focus will be on youth justice, probation and policing while allowing for the consideration of other aspects of criminal justice where necessary. To provide analysis and research considering trends relating to the current operation and delivery of criminal justice and policing in Wales, including how they interact with different populations and communities in Wales. Such work will inform the identification of future priorities and act as a baseline against which changes to justice and policing can be assessed through ongoing monitoring. There will need to be flexibility in the research programme so it can be responsive to emerging needs and changing policy contexts and priorities. Integral to this will be the formulation of annual workplans to be agreed with the Welsh Government and an independent advisory group (that will be developed alongside the research programme to advise on the direction of the work) to direct the activity of the research programme. The annual workplans will be used to determine and agree the research activity for 12 months, including the particular projects, questions and methods to be addressed. It is expected that there will be three annual workplans over the course of the research programme. It is expected that a variety of methods will be required to deliver the work, including reviews of existing evidence, data and practices and primary data collection in the form of interviews, focus groups, workshops and surveys of those with knowledge and understanding of the operation of justice services. The Client proposes to award a 40-month contract consisting of three periods of 16 months + 12 months + 12 months. The contract will be subject to annual reviews, whereby towards the end of each of the three periods a decision will be required to be taken about whether the contract should continue. These decisions will be made in line with the delivery of the annual work plans.