Request for Tender: A Scoping and Review of Current Existing Parenting Hubs and Supporting Advisor / Coordinator Roles

Background & Context

Tusla Prevention, Partnership, and Family Support (PPFS) wishes to commission a review to scope out and evaluate existing Parenting Hubs in operation across the country, and any corresponding supporting advisor/coordinator roles attached to these. It is hoped that evaluation data and recommendations from this piece of work will inform next steps regarding funding allocations and resources for the implementation of Parenting Hubs nationally to all parents.

Research with parents has shown a low level of awareness of services and supports in their community (Hickey & Leckey, 2021; Amarach, 2020). Parents have reported that they only discovered services were available years after their need had passed (Hickey & Leckey, 2021). Additionally, stakeholder consultation conducted by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) with practitioners and service providers, has also highlighted the challenges in finding information on available parenting supports and the negative impact this has on making appropriate referrals.

The research and consultation undertaken (Hickey & Leckey, 2021; Amarach, 2020) to inform the development of a national model of parenting support services has highlighted the need for a greater awareness of available supports. The type of parenting supports available, and the providers of these supports differs between areas, which makes it difficult to clearly communicate with and inform parents and people working with children and parents, of the supports available to them. The variety of services, the large number of different providers of parenting support services, and variations in the types of services available across the country, makes it challenging to map and clearly communicate supports to parents. Many services do not have the funding for promotion and sometimes struggle to reach and engage parents.

Information about available services and how to access different supports is important for both parents and practitioners. For many parents, their first point of contact in relation to a parenting concern is family and friends, followed by a GP, Public Health Nurse, Early Learning and Care professional or teacher [1]. These practitioners need to be adequately supported to understand the range of parenting support services available in the local area and to support parents to access the service most appropriate to their needs. A greater awareness of parenting support services is required to normalise the usage of parenting supports, improve knowledge of local availability, promote engagement, and facilitate timely access.

The establishment of parenting hubs in some areas has really helped increase parents’ awareness of parenting support services in their area and has helped to ensure that parents can access the right support when they need it. Parenting Hubs work by providing easily accessible information on services, events, and parenting programmes available in their locality. There are several Parenting Hubs in operation throughout the country, but the definition or model of what a Parenting Hub is varies, as does the resources allocated to the delivery of same. This review should look at what resources, materials, and staffing hours are needed for the effective implementation of a Parenting Hub to parents in their community.

Outputs

1. To undertake a scoping and review of any existing Parenting Hubs and corresponding coordinator/advisor roles in operation across the country.
2. To undertake an evaluation of Parenting Hubs, looking at existing models in use across the country regarding; location, funding, resources, materials, and staffing hours allocated.
3. To produce a report based on the scoping, review, and evaluation of existing Parenting Hubs, providing a definition of same with key recommendations for Tusla to consider, to inform next steps regarding funding allocations and resources required for the effective implementation of Parenting Hubs across the country.

Requirements

1. Knowledge, skills and experience in the review and evaluation of programmes within Children and Family Services.
2. Knowledge, skills and experience in Parenting Support Practice and the National Model of Parenting Support.
3. Knowledge, skills and experience in the development of strategic policies.
4. Experience in and commitment to working collaboratively, ensuring transparency and respect in all aspects of the work.

Application Process

1. Cover letter, including the tenderer’s outline plan and methodology for approaching the work, a maximum of two pages.
2. CV(s) of all personnel involved.
3. Detailed Costings/Quotes for the work to be undertaken to include VAT.
4. Timeframe for the completion of tasks.
5. Details of two referees.
6. Applicants should include tax clearance and insurance details as part of the application.

Criteria pertaining to the evaluation of tenders received:

1. Quality, service delivery proposal (80%)
   • Relevant experience and knowledge.
   • The understanding of the brief.
   • Methodological approach.
   • Proven track record.
2. Price Proposal (20%)

Start Date & Budget

The maximum budget available is €20,000 inclusive of VAT and expenses.

The expected timeframe for completion of the work is 5 months.

Completed tenders should be returned by email to Rebecca Moore at rebecca.moore@tusla.ie

Closing Date: 5pm on Tuesday May 21st

This project is being funded through Dormant Accounts Funding under the What Works Initiative, Department of Children Equality Disability Inclusion and Youth.

[1] Amárach, 2020. Survey of Households in Ireland with Children Under 18, November 2020, Amárach on behalf of The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/eb017-developing-a-natio…