Disability Action Invites Tenders for Evaluation of the Mobility Centre Driving School Evaluation of the Mobility Centre Driving School Invitation to Tender (ITT): Research and Service Evaluation of the Motability Centre Driving School Introduction Disability Action invites suitably qualified organisations or consultants to submit tenders to undertake an independent research and service evaluation of the Disability Action Mobility Centre Driving School. The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the effectiveness, accessibility, outcomes and wider social impact of the Driving School for disabled people across Northern Ireland. The findings will inform future commissioning, service development and alignment with independent living and mobility frameworks. The evaluation must be grounded in a rights-based approach aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), particularly Article 20 (Personal Mobility), alongside the Social Model of Disability. 2. Background Disability Action is a pan-disability, disabled people’s led organisation working across Northern Ireland to promote the rights, independence and inclusion of disabled people of all ages and disability types. The organisation delivers a wide range of services for and by disabled people, including advocacy, transport and mobility support, employment and skills programmes, independent living assistance, and policy development. Disability Action adopts a rights-based approach grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, combining lived-experience leadership with direct service delivery and strategic influencing to challenge barriers, improve access to opportunity, and ensure disabled people are actively involved in decisions affecting their lives and communities. The Disability Action Mobility Centre Driving School delivers specialist driving instruction and theory support to disabled people across Northern Ireland. The service aims to address gaps in provision, enhance choice, and support disabled people to achieve independent mobility alongside improved social, economic and wellbeing outcomes. Disability Action now seeks an external evaluator to assess delivery, impact and scalability of this model. 3. Purpose of the Evaluation The overall aim of the evaluation is to assess how effectively the Driving School has expanded driving provision for disabled people across Northern Ireland, addressing gaps in access and supporting disabled people to achieve independent mobility and improved outcomes. The evaluation should consider progress against the following service objectives of the Mobility Centre Driving School: Expand driving lesson provision to increase learner participation and improve driving test pass rates for disabled learners Increase the availability of theory test preparation courses to improve the pass rate for disabled learners Grow the number of adapted vehicles across Northern Ireland by providing grants to a driving school in each council area Raise awareness of the Driving School and wider services through targeted information and advice sessions with schools and healthcare professionals In addition the evaluation should: Evaluate the accessibility and inclusivity of the Mobility Centre service model Measure learner outcomes including confidence, independence, employability and community participation Capture service user experiences and identify perceived barriers and enablers to engagement Review operational effectiveness, referral pathways and partnership working arrangements Identify opportunities for service improvement and future scalability Develop clear, evidence-based recommendations for commissioners and stakeholders Key Evaluation Questions Applicants should demonstrate how their approach will address the following: To what extent does the Driving School increase independence and mobility for disabled participants? How accessible is the service in terms of eligibility, geography, cost and delivery? What outcomes are achieved (for example licence attainment, confidence and employment access)? How do service users perceive and experience the Driving School, including its impact on their confidence and independence? How effectively does the model integrate with wider support systems such as transport, health and education? What improvements could enhance reach and impact? 5. Methodology Requirements Tenderers are expected to propose a mixed-methods approach. The evaluation will include a structured review of relevant organisational documentation, including policies, referral pathways and operational procedures, to assess alignment with best practice, accessibility standards and service objectives. Equality and accessibility documentation will also be examined to evaluate how inclusive principles are embedded across service delivery and governance. This review will support understanding of operational effectiveness, compliance with equality duties, and the extent to which the Driving School promotes equitable access for disabled people. As part of the mixed-methods approach, the successful tenderer will be required to design and administer an accessible service user survey to capture participant experiences and outcomes. The survey should also collect relevant demographic information, including age, disability type, geographic location, and employment or education status. This quantitative data will be used alongside qualitative insights to support robust analysis of accessibility, reach and impact. The Quantitative element will also involve: Analysis of service data including numbers supported annually, pass rates and waiting times The Qualitative element should include Semi-structured interviews or focus groups with: Current and former learners Driving instructors Referring agencies The report should include the development of a minimum of three case studies. 6. Sample and Recruitment Participants will be recruited through the Motability Centre using accessible formats and consent processes. Indicative participant numbers: Approximately 25 to 30 service users Five to eight staff or instructors Three to five external stakeholders 7. Ethics and Safeguarding Tenderers must demonstrate compliance with GDPR and ethical research standards, including: Informed consent Anonymisation of data Trauma-informed interviewing Accessible materials Clear safeguarding escalation procedures 8. Outputs Outputs will include: An interim evaluation report Full evaluation report Executive summary Impact framework Recommendations for service development Data tables and visual summaries Case studies All outputs will be procurement-ready and suitable for funders, commissioners and strategic partners. 9. Timescale The evaluation will be delivered over approximately 12 weeks from contract award, structured as follows: Week Activity Weeks 1–2 Project initiation, inception meeting, finalisation of methodology, ethics approval, development of survey tools and recruitment materials Weeks 3–6 Data collection including service user survey, interviews, focus groups and document review Week 7 Interim report submission and review meeting with Disability Action Weeks 8–10 Data analysis, synthesis of findings and development of case studies Weeks 11–12 Draft and final report production, executive summary and presentation of findings 10. Added Value Tender submissions should demonstrate: A rights-based analytical framework Experience evaluating disability services in Northern Ireland or comparable contexts Trauma-informed practice Strong stakeholder engagement capability Policy-aligned recommendations Accessible reporting formats 11. Expected Impact The evaluation will generate evidence to support understanding of the reach, effectiveness and accessibility of the Motability Centre Driving School. Findings will inform service development, commissioning decisions and future investment planning. The evaluation will also provide insight into barriers to mobility experienced by disabled people and identify opportunities to strengthen delivery models, partnership working and regional coverage. Outputs will support Disability Action and stakeholders to make informed, evidence-based decisions regarding sustainability, improvement and potential expansion of the service. 12. Tender Process and Submission Details Invitation to Tender Period This Invitation to Tender will remain open for a period of four weeks from the date of issue. Procurement Timetable (Indicative) ITT issued 10 March 2026 Deadline for clarification questions 23 March 2026 Responses to clarification questions issued 31 March 2026 Tender submission deadline 12:00 noon on 17th April 2026 Notification of outcome 8th May 2026 Anticipated contract start 1st June 2026 Dates may be subject to change at the discretion of Disability Action. Clarification Questions Tenderers may submit clarification questions by email up to five working days prior to the submission deadline. Responses to clarification questions will be shared with all tenderers to ensure transparency and fairness. Tender Submission Completed tenders must be submitted electronically by email to the designated contact below no later than 12:00 noon on 17th April 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. All tenders and clarification questions should be sent to: Sarah Campbell Disability Action Email: [email protected] Tenderers must not contact any other staff or representatives of Disability Action regarding this Invitation to Tender. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.