TENDER Research Request
EPIC, Empowering People in Care, is seeking tenders for a Research Consultant
Applications to:
Subject heading:
‘Disability Project Tender Application’
Work period: November 2021 – August 2022 with final project for completion by July 2022.
Please see terms of reference
Title of Project:
An Exploration of the Challenges Facing Children and Young People in Care with Disabilities.
Background:
EPIC has received funding from the IHREC to carry out a research project on the challenges facing children and young people in care with disabilities.
Awareness of the situation of children and young people in care and care-leavers with disabilities is low, and this group is under-represented in public policy, law, social care education, and research. The limited information and data available on this cohort makes equal progress on the rights of People with Disabilities challenging, and limits opportunities for advocacy, and policy and legislative reform.
Successful implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) requires an understanding of where disability intersects with other marginalities – including experience in the care system – and the implications this has on human rights. To uphold the provisions of both the UNCRPD and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the voice and experience of children and youth with disabilities must be considered in the national implementation of the CRPD – this includes invisible minorities, such as those in care and aftercare.
This project would increase awareness and understanding of the specific obstacles faced by care-experienced children and youth with disabilities and contribute to the evidence base necessary to advocate for changes in policy and practice, so their rights are realised, and no one is left behind as the CRPD is implemented.
The overall aim of is to improve awareness and understanding of the situation of children and young people in care with disabilities by developing research and recommendations to ensure their rights are upheld in policy and practice. This would equip policy makers and practitioners with information which is currently unavailable.
Tasks:
- Establish an ‘easy to read’ overview, which provides a comprehensive understanding of the specific challenges faced by children and young people in care and care-leavers with disabilities.
- Deliver desk research on the situation of children in care with disabilities in other EU countries and the UK, including a review of relevant policies and legislation in Ireland and across Europe.
- Speak with relevant stakeholders such as social workers, HSE disability officers, carers, advocacy officers, Guardian ad litems, solicitors etc.
- Co-facilitate with EPIC focus groups with children and young people with disabilities in the care system as key discussants – these group discussions may be conducted online or in-person.
- Co-facilitate with EPIC individual meetings with children and young people with disabilities in the care system as key discussants – these group discussions may be conducted online or in-person.
- Produce a research and policy analysis, based on the consultations and international best practice, on how the rights of care-experienced children and youth can be upheld in Irish policy and practice – in line with the provisions of the UNCRPD. The final product should be accessible to Children and Young People with Disabilities.
- Deliver guidance and a roadmap for future research and participation work regarding children and young people with disabilities in care. A version of this roadmap should also be accessible to children and young people with disabilities.
Outputs:
It is anticipated that this work will be entirely completed in a ten-month period from November 2021-August 2022.
Key milestones:
- Quarter 1 (November 2021): Desk Research to be carried out including completion of a literature review, and contact made with practitioners and key individuals in the disability sector. Ethical approval will be completed.
- Quarter 2 (December 2021 / January – February 2022): Focus groups and semi-structured interviews with children and young people as well as practitioners (Social Care, Social Work and Legal etc) will be carried out with EPIC’s assistance.
- Quarter 3 (March – May 2022): Analysis of findings and writing of report will take place.
- Quarter 4 (June – August 2022): Final report and exploration of next steps. Participation in meetings with stakeholders including Tusla and DCEDIY etc.
Skills and Expertise:
- Commitment to work in partnership with EPIC and the key stakeholders.
- Proven ability to carry out independent research work in a related area.
- Proven experience of desk research and qualitative research, including facilitating group discussions and one-to-one interviews.
- Proven experience that demonstrates ethical research conduct – successful tenderers will be required to be garda vetted by EPIC for the purposes of this research.
- Proven ability to evaluate and write reports, including the assimilation of research findings into clear workable recommendations.
- Ability to present research findings to an audience, online or in person.
- Experience of qualitative research work in the children’s rights or disability sectors is essential.
- Experience of participative research with children and youth would be an advantage.
- Experience of working with vulnerable young people would be an advantage.
Application Process:
- Cover later, to include tenderer’s outline plan and methodology for approaching the work: maximum 2 pages.
- Include a link to, or copy of, a sample of past work that is similar in content and/or style to the above outputs.
- CV(s) of all personnel involved.
- Costings for the work to be undertaken.
- Details of referees.
Closing Date for applications:
Thursday 11th of November 2021
Region:
Online / Home Based / Dublin 7