Dudley Council plans to spend £120k on kids’ survey
Dudley Council could spend up to £120,000 on surveying children and young peoples’ lifestyles and behaviour.
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The authority’s director of public health, Mayada Abuaffan, has approved spending cash on the survey which will also ask questions on health and wellbeing.
A procurement exercise will take place with providers bidding for the contract which could run for six years.
Notes attached to the document confirming the plan said: “In 2024, the questionnaire was completed by 6,326 pupils in 54 of Dudley’s education settings.
“If approval was granted to continue commissioning this questionnaire, the aim would be to exceed the number of participating pupils, and education settings through further promotion and engagement.”
The survey has been running since 2000 and is designed to be completed by pupils of all ages from year five through to year 13.
The survey is carried out every two years and currently costs £30,000 each time and has never been increased, the new plan adds an extra £10,000 to the budget for evey time the questionnaire is used.
The authority is looking to award a four-year contract with the possibility of a two-year extension.
The same provider has been used for the last 20 years and the council says it has delivered satisfactory service however the authority also says putting the contract up for grabs would ensure best value for money, provide an opportunity for improvements and satisfy procurement regulations.
Information gathered by the survey is used in a variety of ways to influence public health policies.
The report continues: “The data’s importance has been recognised in the Child Friendly Dudley Framework for fulfilling the ambition of ensuring children’s voices are asked for and utilised in planning and commissioning.
“It has also contributed to various public health workstreams including childhood obesity, financial wellbeing, and oral health.
“A poignant example of how the data has influenced our public health agendas was using the data to inform our sexual health action plan.
“This data highlighted issues around consent, inappropriate behaviour in relationships and young people’s knowledge around contraception, which has influenced service planning for the next financial year.”
