Implementation of the Water Safety & Drowning Prevention Recommendations

Welsh Government seek a delivery partner with a proven track record, harnessing an extensive network across various UK water safety organisations. This partner will play a pivotal role in assimilating knowledge and insights from diverse sources, bolstering Welsh Government and Water Safety Wales efforts towards achieving strategic objectives.

The delivery partner will possess the experience to support organisations in executing water safety and drowning prevention strategies effectively. Welsh Government requires a delivery partner capable of leveraging their established connections to raise awareness among practitioners, policymakers, and the public while providing adaptable and comprehensive support. The successful partner should not only fulfil a secretariat role, but also demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the WDPS and its recommendations, employing their expertise in development, management, and adaptability to address emerging water safety issues.

Maintaining consistent communication with Welsh Government officials, the partner will ensure alignment of future Water Safety Wales programmes with evolving concerns in water safety education, training, and outreach. Crucially, their capacity to facilitate the exchange of pertinent information and best practices among UK water safety entities will be instrumental in reducing accidental drownings.

Water is essential for our physical and mental wellbeing; therefore it is important to protect it and the people using it. Wales has seen a substantial growth in outdoor activity, especially within water over recent years.

Data shows that in 2022, there were 26 confirmed fatalities in water in Wales, half did not intend to enter the water. We know there are 2000 annual water-related incidents in Wales requiring emergency response, approximately 5 per day.

We believe that through cross-departmental collaboration within Welsh Government and between our delivery partners, adopting a Team Wales approach can reduce the number of water-related accidents and fatalities across the country.

The successful Bidder will be a delivery partner who will work alongside Welsh Government to implement the Petitions Committee report's recommendations 2, 3, 4, and 6 which supports Wales’ Drowning Prevention Strategy. The report can be downloaded here - https://senedd.wales/media/cn4fcehy/cr-ld15291-e.pdf.

Water Safety Wales has also taken the water safety agenda forward since 2017, publishing the WDPS in 2020. The WDPS links to our ambitions for a healthier Wales in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. The WDPS includes action on the report’s identified themes: Alcohol, Supervision, Safe Access, Learning to Swim, Risks and Plans, Safer Holidays, Data Issues, and Support. The WDPS can be downloaded here - https://www.nationalwatersafety.org.uk/media/1236/water-safety-strategy-2020-2026.pdf.

The successful bidder will be awarded a 13-month contract with a 12 month extension option to deliver the workstreams. The contract is valued at approximately GBP 150,000 exc. VAT for the initial contract term, and GBP 100,000 exc. VAT if the extension is enacted.