Request for Proposals
Needs Analysis of the Linkage Service

1. Background

Tosú is an organisation dedicated to supporting individuals involved with the criminal justice system to reintegrate into society through education, training, and employment supports. Central to this mission is the Linkage Service, which provides personalised life guidance and structured pathways to employment or training through close collaboration with the Irish Probation Service.

To ensure the service remains adaptive to evolving referral patterns, regional demand, and emerging needs across Probation Service (PS) offices and counties, Tosú seeks to undertake a comprehensive Needs Analysis. This study will integrate historical Tosú data with Probation Service datasets to support future workforce planning, inform strategic business planning, and address perceptual challenges around service visibility and impact.

2. Objective

The aim is to conduct a strategic Needs Analysis that:

1. Identifies current, emerging, and geographically-specific service user needs.
2. Evaluates the capacity of the current Linkage Service model to meet these needs.
3. Highlights distinct or innovative practices with potential for replication or scaling to achieve strategic objectives.
4. Informs resource allocation, staffing (including roaming TEO roles), and operational planning to support regional service responsiveness.

3. Scope of Work

a. Data Review and Integration

1. Review Tosú’s historical service engagement data, including trends by county, PS office, and referral type.
2. Collaborate with the Irish Probation Service to interpret relevant datasets linked to referrals, service uptake, and client outcomes across jurisdictions.
3. Identify areas of growth, unmet demand, or uneven access geographically.

b. Needs Assessment

1. Conduct mixed-methods research (quantitative and qualitative) to assess:
   • Service user needs across diverse regions.
   • Gaps in provision or disparities by county/PS office.
   • Future service demand projections to support staffing and workforce modelling.
2. Engage key stakeholders (Tosú staff, service users, Probation Officers, and community partners) via interviews or focus groups.

c. Innovation and Scalability Analysis

1. Examine region-specific interventions with strong outcomes (e.g., Donegal employment hub model; Cork’s ER networking approach).
2. Assess what elements make these approaches effective or unique.
3. Explore feasibility and requirements for scaling or replicating these models in other regions.

d. Service Delivery Flexibility

1. Assess benefits, challenges, and contingencies related to ‘roaming’ or mobile TEO roles to support services in high-need or underserved areas.
2. Consider operational and human resource implications of more agile service delivery models.

e. ROI and Strategic Impact

1. Analyse the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the current Linkage Service structure.
2. Benchmark against national and international best practices in justice-to-employment transitions.
3. Identify opportunities to increase reach, equity, and strategic impact.

f. Reporting and Recommendations

1. Deliver a comprehensive final report that includes:
   1. Summary of regional demand trends and needs.
   2. Strategic and operational recommendations (incl. workforce implications).
   3. Suggested KPIs for future monitoring.
   4. Guidance on resource deployment, including mobile and scalable service models.

4. Deliverables

1. Inception Report – Work plan and methodology (by Week 2)
2. Interim Progress Update – Summary presentation or brief update (Midpoint)
3. Draft Final Report – Analysis and preliminary recommendations (by Week 8)
4. Final Report – Revised report with executive summary and KPIs (by Week 10)
5. Presentation of Findings – To Tosú and key stakeholders (Week 11)

5. Duration and Timeline

The consultancy is expected to run for 11 weeks, with an anticipated start date in September 2025.

6. Consultant Profile

The selected consultant(s) should demonstrate:

• Proven expertise in needs analysis, service design, or programme evaluation in criminal justice, social inclusion, or public service reform.
• Strong skills in both qualitative and quantitative research.
• Familiarity with Irish criminal justice and probation systems.
• Ability to explore innovation, scalability, and agile workforce models.
• Commitment to ethical, trauma-informed, and data-secure practices.

7. Reporting and Governance

The consultant will report to Jacob R. Harmon, Operations Manager – Community Based Services, with support from Tosú’s Leadership Team. A steering group with representatives from the Irish Probation Service and Tosú may oversee progress.

8. Budget and Payment

Budget proposals should be submitted as part of the application. Payments will be phased in accordance with successful completion of each deliverable. Proposals sought for engagement with a maximum expenditure of €12,000, inclusive of VAT.

9. Confidentiality and Data Protection

All data must be handled in line with GDPR and Tosú’s data governance standards. A formal Data Sharing Agreement will be established where necessary.

10. Submission of Proposals

Please submit:

• A detailed proposal (including methodology, timeline, budget, and proposed workplan).
• CV or organisational profile with relevant experience.
• Two references or examples of relevant work.

Deadline for submissions: COB, July 25th, 2025 
Submit to:
Jacob R. Harmon
Operations Manager – Community Based Services
jharmon@tosu.ie
(086) 382 4494

Please contact Jacob for any queries.