OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY
Tusla wishes to commission an independent external review of the
implementation and outcomes of Outdoor Therapies and Outdoor
Therapeutic Interventions.
We expect the review to include a combination of desk-based research
and field research, including surveys and qualitative methodologies,
to capture the voices and experiences of families, practitioners and
other stakeholders. Ethical approval from Tusla’s Independent
Research Ethics Committee will be required for this work.
The aims of the project are as follows:
1. SCOPING EXERCISE
* Desktop research through Tusla Commissioning, PPFS managers and
the Tusla Regional Therapeutic Teams (if applicable), in relation to
what is being funded in this area.
* Desktop research looking at international best practice in this
area. The agreed literature review approach should include definitions
of outdoor adventure therapy, therapeutic adventure and related terms
in this area of enquiry; the effectiveness, or otherwise, of therapies
and interventions; and any relevant literature on impact of these
therapies and interventions on better outcomes for children in the
community, children in care, children on the edge of care and children
engaging with the juvenile justice system.
* Defining the difference between outdoor therapies and outdoor
therapeutic interventions.
2. EVALUATION
* Choose a sample of providers in this area for further enquiry. The
sample will be agreed with Tusla.
* Evaluate the outcomes from these programmes through the
development and design of appropriate evaluation tool(s)
* Evaluate what this service mitigated against e.g. Risk of the
young person coming into care/risk of the young person becoming
involved in the Juvenile Justice System.
3. VOICE OF THE CHILD AND PARENT/GUARDIAN
* A sample of parents/guardians and children and young people to
gather views on their experience of the programmes provided and the
perceived impact of programme delivery on outcomes such as supporting
families to remain together or stabilize care placements. Ethical
approval may be required for this work.
* Design appropriate participatory methods and tools to include the
voice of child and parent/guardian in the research.
* Design an appropriate Public Patient Involvement (PPI) in research
approach to assist in the research project development.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
The required outputs from the review will be:
* An interim report on the above aims and objectives.
* A final report, supplemented with an executive summary, outlining
key findings and recommendations relating to the above aims and
objectives.
* A presentation on the findings and recommendations.
TIMEFRAME
It is expected that the review will take place over a seven-month
period and will produce a final report that encompasses all of the
above aims. The closing date for the submission of proposals is
*th April *. It is
expected that the evaluation will commence in May **Apply on the
website**, with report due in December *.
Please refer to the Tusla Research Ethics Committee (REC) webpage
noted below for REC meeting dates.
MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF THE REVIEW PROCESS
Day-to-day management of the contract will be led by an oversight
group who will support and oversee the review process. This group will
require regular progress updates. The successful tenderer will be
required to engage with the relevant Tusla led governance and
oversight structure for the duration of the project and provide
subject matter expertise on the topic for the duration of the project
aligned to the project delivery schedule. Progress updates to the
Tusla governance and oversight structure will be required at intervals
agreed upon once the project is commenced.
BUDGET
The overall budget should not exceed €**Apply on the
website**, *, inclusive of VAT and overheads. No
more than *% of the contract can go towards
organisation’s overhead costs. The successful tenderer will be
responsible for all tax, VAT, and other associated liabilities. Tusla
will be responsible for contract management for the duration of the
project. The successful tenderer will adhere to all the terms and
conditions of the contract. The contractors reserve the right to
withhold payment where the successful Tenderer fails to meet his/her
contractual obligations in relation to the delivery of services to an
acceptable level of quality.
Researchers will need to provide a Gantt chart outlining the project
milestones, the number of researchers involved in the project, their
daily rate and the proposed number of days allocated by each member of
the team to the project.
TENDER FORMAT
The application should include information under the following
headings:
* Researcher profiles including relevant experience, skills and
knowledge of the sector and study context. This information should
include reference to, and details of other similar work undertaken
previously;
* The lead researcher specified for all correspondence during the
lifetime of the project.
* Proposed outline of review including design, methodology, analysis
and report writing.
* Proposed budget, including a breakdown of costs, timeline, and
schedule for the delivery of the research project. This should include
the costs for all personnel involved in the research project.
* Researcher to adhere to quality assurance processes of the Tusla
governance and oversight structure for reviewing and commenting on
draft outputs prior to finalisation.
* Risk assessment with mitigation and escalation strategy outlining
any potential difficulties or delays that may be encountered through
the course of the research.
* Evidence of current insurance/public indemnity
* Referees; contact details; and Gantt chart outlining a timeline of
project deliverables.
Tenderers are advised that Tusla is subject to the Freedom of
Information (FOI) Acts, *. If a Tenderer
considers that any of the information supplied in their Tender
response is either commercially sensitive or confidential in nature,
this should be highlighted and the reasons for its sensitivity
specified. In such cases the relevant material will, in response to a
request under the FOI Act, be examined in the light of the exceptions
provided for in the Act.
SELECTION AND AWARDS CRITERIA
All tenders will be evaluated under the following criteria:
* Cost
* Research design and methodology
* Relevant Experience
* Skills and knowledge
* Contract management including demonstration of ability to complete
project within the specified timeline.
CHILDREN FIRST
Researchers must carry out their work in accordance with Children
First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children,
published by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA,
*) and any relevant legislation and policies
relating to child protection and welfare, child safeguarding and
vetting. Evidence of current Garda Vetting may be required.
RESEARCH ETHICS AND DATA PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
Tusla will require that the research be conducted within Tusla
ethical governance protocols and procedures to ensure the maximum
benefit of the research whilst minimising the risk of actual or
potential harm to potential participants. Researchers must submit a
research ethics application via the Tusla Independent Research Ethics
Committee and any other REC, if applicable. Information on the process
is available
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
