Request for Tender from Primary Care HSE Southwest.

To review the Community Work Department in HSE Southwest

This review must identify a clear strategy with concise recommendations to inform the continued implementation of community development approaches to health and social services.

Introduction

Primary Care, HSE Southwest requests a proposal to tender for the review of the three Community Work Departments (Cork North, Cork South and Kerry).

The Community Work Department was established in 1975 and has three departments - Cork South, Cork North and Kerry. There are no Community Work Departments in other community services areas. Each department is led by a Principal Community Worker, and there are Community Workers, Team Leaders and Community Health Workers employed throughout the departments. The Community Work Department supports community and voluntary organisations in receipt of Section 39 funding.

The Community Work Department in HSE Southwest is community led and based on the principles of community development including: equality, needs based, partnership and access and responding to the voice of communities. The Department works to develop innovative programmes and responses that meet the health and social needs of communities. This is done in partnership with the community and voluntary sector. The Department has developed linkages and innovations throughout HSE Southwest- putting a serious emphasis on the collaborative approach used; hearing the needs and working in partnership.

The Community Work Dept works across Primary Care, Older Persons, and Mental Health and liaises with Health & Well Being. Within Primary Care, the Community Work Department has a specific focus on Social Inclusion and has expertise in supporting Refugees, International Protection Applicants, Travellers, Roma, Migrant Workers, LGBT+ and Women’s Services.

Within Older Persons Services, the Dept of Community Work has supported and developed services for older people with Voluntary Day Care Centres, meals on wheels services, social groups, Befriending and Home Visitation Services, and other initiatives. The Community Work Department works on interagency committees with key partners within HSE Southwest; community & voluntary sector; statutory agencies and social partners.

The Community Work Department is committed to ensuring that all communities have access to health and social care; and that where communities face challenges, the Department works in partnership to improve services and enhance accessibility.

Summary of Request for Tender

Overview

The purpose of this call for Tender is to review the Department of Community Work in HSE Southwest. This review must identify a clear strategy with concise recommendations to inform the continued implementation of community development approaches to health and social services.

Tender Request

Primary Care, HSE Southwest calls for suitably qualified individuals/organisations/academic institutions to tender for this review.

Tenders must be skilled and demonstrate knowledge of the All Ireland Endorsement Body for Community Work (AIEB) as a professional qualification in Community Work and be guided by the All Ireland Standards for Community Work.

In order to assist in the Review, it is the vision of the research advisory group that the successful tender engages with retired and current staff within the Community Work Department. The successful tender should engage with Community Work Ireland and academic institutions.

Production of the Review must contain a clear plan with concise recommendations.

This Review will be overseen by an Advisory Group comprising representatives from Principal Community Workers, GM Social Inclusion, Head of Primary Care, GM Non-residential Services, HSE Southwest Learning & Development, external experts/professionals in Community Work/Community Development and others identified as appropriate.

Duration of the contract

The duration of the contract will be from May 2024 and will cease September 2024.

A formal contract will be drawn up by HSE Southwest and signed by the successful tender and HSE Southwest. The tender will then attend an initial meeting with the advisory group to discuss details of the project and to arrange follow up meetings as required.

Please see tender document attached below.

Tender Process / Timings

• Queries concerning this tender should be emailed to Caroline Doyle Principal Community Worker Kerry caroline.doyle@hse.ie
• Tenders should be provided by post/email with the heading ‘Review of Community Work HSE Southwest’ to David Lane, GM PC & Social Inclusion, c/o Rita O Sullivan, Aras Sláinte, HSE, Wilton Rd Cork or emailrita.osullivan@hse.ie
• Tenders must be received by May 10th 2024 at 1pm.
  Interview/ Presentation of shortlisted researchers will take place online 24th May 2024. Confirmation of successful candidate will take place week commencing May 27th 2024.
• HSE Southwest does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any quote. HSE Southwest also reserves the right to reject in whole or in part, any or all quotes received.
• All tenders received will be acknowledged by email.
• Successful and unsuccessful tenders will be notified by email.