Organisation: Scottish Swimming
Closing Date: 1st June 2025
Issued by: Scottish Swimming
Project Value: circa £12,500
Deadline for Submissions: 1st June 2025
Contact: Gordon Hunter – g.hunter@scottishswimming.com
Introduction
Scottish Swimming is the national governing body for Swimming, Diving, Masters Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Artistic Swimming, and Water Polo in Scotland. We work inclusively with partners to achieve our vision:
“Everyone Can Swim.”
Since launching in 2015, the National Learn to Swim (LTS) Framework, supported by Scottish Water, has aimed to deliver high-quality, learn to swim environments across Scotland via affiliated partners.
This tender invites an experienced research consultant to deliver an independent evaluation of the Framework’s impact at the 10-year mark, building on the 2018 report by Best & Randak Associates.
Learn more about our corporate plan
Project Aim and Objectives
To assess the national and local impact of the LTS Framework from 2015–2025 (building from 2018 report), evaluating progress, performance, and stakeholder feedback, with a view to shaping the next phase of development.
The appointed consultant(s) will be expected to:
- Assess whether the LTS Framework has:
- Increased participation among children
- Generated greater income for partners through aquatics
- Improved the consistency and quality of provision
- Strengthened partnerships and transition to clubs
- Supported inclusion and equity (e.g., SIMD and disability)
- Provide insights into:
- Stakeholder satisfaction (parents, teachers, coordinators, senior leaders)
- Effectiveness of education, resources, and national campaigns
- Return on investment, social value and financial sustainability
- Unintended outcomes (positive or negative)
- Compare progress since 2018 and offer practical, evidence-based recommendations to ensure success in the next phase of delivery from 2026-2036.
Methodology
We welcome proposals that use a robust, mixed-methods approach, potentially including:
- Analysis of historic and current data (e.g., participation, club transitions, SIMD)
- Surveys with:
- Parents/guardians
- Swim teachers
- Programme managers/coordinators
- Providers (incl. non-framework) & aquatic clubs
- Focus groups or interviews with key stakeholders
- Local case studies or observational visits
- Collaboration with Scottish Swimming on data access and framing
Deliverables
The successful consultant will produce:
- National Impact Report (with Executive Summary)
- One-page Recommendations Brief
- Presentation slide deck (for National Framework Conference)
- Localised insight reports – for each NF Partner (where applicable)
- Short video brief (key findings visualised)
- Key data and insights to be used for infographics
- Raw data files with methodology
All deliverables must be completed by September 2025
Marketing and branding consistency will be supported through collaboration with our design partner.