CALL FOR TENDERS: TUSLA CHILD AND FAMILY AGENCY ARE SEEKING TENDERS
FOR THE PROJECT LISTED BELOW WHICH IS FUNDED BY TUSLA.
TUSLA IS DEDICATED AND COMMITTED TO WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
CHILDREN, FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN IN NEED OR AT
RISK OF HARM ARE SUPPORTED, PROTECTED, AND CONNECTED TO PEOPLE WHO CAN
SAFEGUARD AND PROMOTE THEIR WELLBEING THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.
PROJECT TITLE: REVIEW OF THE FOSTERING ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
* Relative fostering assessment
* General fostering assessment
BACKGROUND:
THE NATIONAL GUIDANCE FOR FOSTER CARE ASSESSMENT, **Apply on the
website** (including the relative assessment framework) when developed
was adapted to Irish practice and legislation from the British Agency
for Adoption and Fostering “Undertaking a Fostering Assessment: A
Guide to collecting and analysing information for Form F” (BAAF
*). It aims to provide analysis and evaluation
of information gathered during assessment interviews.
Statutory social work services and private foster care agencies are
responsible for assessing potential foster carers who have the
capacity to meet the assessed needs of children in care.
The National Assessment Model for both general foster care and
relative foster care outlines the sequence of essential conversations
with foster care applicants, in order to assess their ability to look
after children in care. It considers relevant information about the
unique personal qualities and life experiences of applicants as they
relate to the task of fostering and the degree to which they possess
the necessary stability and security in their adult lives to foster
abused and neglected children. It is important that the assessing
social workers and foster care committees (FCC) understand that all
assessments of applicants’ ability to foster are a form of risk
assessment. Assessment reports give a ‘snapshot in time’ of their
lives and overall abilities which indicates their potential as carers,
based on evidence from their past and current circumstances. This
model incorporates areas of support and supervision required for the
future, addressing how best to manage any perceived concerns in the
interests of children in care and of foster families.
The National Assessment Framework was developed in **Apply on the
website** with a *-month approval timeframe for
review, to be reviewed in *. This review did
not occur, and the National Assessment Framework has not been reviewed
to date.
While many elements of the Assessment Framework are considered to be
robust and has been positively referenced in many HIQA reports, more
recently staff and foster carers have raised some concerns in relation
to it.
PROJECT AIM AND OBJECTIVES AIM
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency are seeking a dedicated resource to
review the National Assessment Frameworks for both relative and
general foster care. Both the National Foster Care Lead and National
Policy Manager for Alternative Care will provide support on this work.
OBJECTIVES
This project will achieve the following:
* Undertake a literature review of national and international best
practice and produce a report identifying best practices.
* Undertake a national consultation on current process, with key
stakeholders including fostering staff, children in care staff, foster
carers, and external stakeholders, e.g. IFCA, private fostering
agencies, relevant advocacy groups e.g. EPIC, birth parent’s
advocacy groups, Foster Care Committee members..
* Undertake a review of HIQA foster care inspection reports and
internal audit/ monitoring reports.
* Develop a draft assessment based in the findings of the national
consultation and best practice review
* Develop a supporting guidance for the use of the assessment
tool(s)
* Pilot the assessment in 4 areas, 2 piloting the general assessment
framework and 2 piloting the relative assessment framework. This work
will be supported by the oversight group and key operational staff.
* Finalise the assessment frameworks taking account of feedback from
the pilot feedback
* Provide briefings to each fostering team on implementation
The person tasked with this work will be asked to review the current
assessment framework model and the output of this work will be to;
* develop a new fostering assessment framework for BOTH RELATIVE AND
GENERAL FOSTERING
* develop a supporting guidance on the use of the new assessment
frameworks.
The post will report and provide updates to a national oversight group
which will consist of
* National Policy Manager for Alternative Care
* National Lead for Fostering
* PSW in fostering
* PSW for Children in Care
* Chair, Foster Care Committee
* Professional Support Manager for Alternative Car
IN UNDERTAKING THIS PROJECT, THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL BE EXPECTED
TO:
* Demonstrate a high level of knowledge of, and experience of
working in, fostering services and associated children’s services.
* Demonstrate a core competency in communication, teamworking and
building collaborative relationships
* Demonstrate an ability to analyse information gathered from the
literature review, the review of inspection/monitoring reports, the
consultations and the piloting phase of the project and extract core
components for development into an assessment framework
* Demonstrate an ability to produce reports in a manner that
evidences best practice, analysis of information gathered
* Be familiar with the legislative framework that governs the
operation of the fostering assessment framework, this would include
the Child Care Act, regulations and relevant standards.
* Demonstrate the ability to work to a clear schedule delivering the
required outputs in a timely manner.
APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING WILL NEED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE PROJECT
WILL:
* Engage with research best practice in conducting reviews of
literature, evidence, legislation, policy, and practice as relevant to
the specified topic.
* Be implemented and aligned to an agreed search protocol which will
be devised by the consultant/researcher(s) and approved by Tusla.
* This is a desktop review, however, during the course of the
project if the methodology should change a review by the Tusla
Independent Research Ethics Committee may be required. Any change must
be discussed and approved by the Tusla governance and oversight
structure.
* Engage with the relevant Tusla governance and oversight structure
for the duration of the project and provides 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.
* Provide a clear outline of the milestone for the project and
timelines for the achievements of the individual milestones including
the completion of the literature review, creation of draft frameworks
and consultations schedules. The successful tenderer will be required
to submit progress report(s) at intervals agreed in advance.
* Provide the working group with a proposed dissemination plan in
preparation for publication of reports and the communication of
research findings to a range of audiences including presentations to
Tusla, networking and collaboration events, conference contributions,
and other opportunities.
EXPECTED OUTPUT:
* Reviewed fostering assessment framework (relative and general)
* Guidance for undertaking a fostering assessment under the new
framework
* Short report ( * pages) and presentation on
the findings and outcome of the project to Tusla
BUDGET
The total budget for this work is up to €**Apply on the
website**, * excluding VAT. 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.
HOW TO APPLY
Tenders should be submitted to Karen Mc Dermott, Tusla **Apply on the
website** by close of business on FRIDAY 4TH OCTOBER **APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE**. Informal queries and r queries relating to the subject
matter of the RFQ can be made to Grainne Collins, Alternative Care
Policy Manager, Tusla * .
The project duration is up to 6 months commencing **Apply on the
website**th October *.
THE TENDER SHOULD INCLUDE INFORMATION UNDER THE FOLLOWING HEADINGS:
* Consultant/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 consultant/researcher specified for all correspondence
during the lifetime of the project
* Proposed outline of the approach including methodology, analysis
and report writing.
* Proposed budget including a breakdown of costs, timeline, and
schedule for the delivery of the project. This should include the
costs for all personnel involved in the project.
* Consultant/Researcher to adhere to quality assurance processes of
the Tusla/DCEDIY governance and oversight structure for reviewing and
commenting on draft outputs prior to finalization.
* Risk assessment with mitigation and escalation strategy outlining
any potential difficulties or delays that may be encountered through
the course of the project.
* Consultants/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, **Apply on the
website**).
* Data processing review in line with Data Protection requirements
and the General Data Protection Regulation *
(GDPR).
* Evidence of insurance/public indemnity.
* Referees (2 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.
EVALUATION PROCESS
All tenders will be evaluated by the relevant Tusla governance and
oversight structure and Tusla National Research Office 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.
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
