Request for Tender from Tusla in collaboration with Northside Partnership.

To support the development of a be-spoke training and resource/s for Family Link Workers delivering supports to Traveller parents of children under six.

Tusla in collaboration with Northside Partnership CLG is seeking submissions, from suitably qualified persons for the development of a be-spoke training and resource/s for Family Link Workers delivering supports to Traveller parents of children under six.

Background & Context

Tusla Traveller Support Programme began as a Pilot in 2020, funded through DCEDIY What Works Funding -
“Although the Traveller children and young people form a small number of the total population in Ireland, it is the poor overall health, educational and life outcomes that challenges us to take notice of this group and urges us to reflect on how we can really work with and alongside Traveller parents, and families to identify and address the barriers to achieving better outcomes (PPFS Funding Proposal to What Works in respect of TPSPP, September 2020).”

A National Implementation Group representative of the six Pilot areas co-developed the Family Link Worker model and worked alongside Parents Plus to culturally adapt the Parent Plus Early Years Parenting Programme.

An independent Process Evaluation completed in 2022 stated “The primary conclusion of this evaluation is that the Traveller Parent Support Project is a good news story. It is a programme that clearly has been needed, as well as a programme that is of significant value.” (Haran, 2022)

Through funding from the DCEDIY the project is now in receipt of mainstreamed funding through the Parent Support Policy Unit and under Equal Start (Early Years Division). The Programme is delivered across seventeen areas, with Host Agencies from local Traveller specific organisations, FRC’s and local Area Partnerships.

In the next phase of development, we want to build on our work to date and concentrate on earlier supports for parents - including how parents as primary educators can support children’s learning and development from birth by understanding the importance of a quality home learning environment and knowing what that looks like in everyday life.

This work will be aligned to Aistear which is the Irish early years curriculum framework. The Framework can be used by anyone who supports babies, toddlers and young children’s learning and development. Within Aistear the caregiver / educator is informed by their relationship with the baby, toddler and young child, the family, their knowledge and experience, as well as knowing the features of the different learning environment.

Across the literature on early years development, there is strong support for the development of a positive home learning environment that assists parents to develop quality responsive attachments, and language-rich environments (Dickinson and Tabor, 2001; Morris et al., 2017; Romano et al., 2021; Mc Nally et al., 2023). The Economic and Social Research Institute (2022) referring to the Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) Project findings, noted that the quality of a child’s home learning environment is more important for cognitive development than parental income, social class or education.

Currently we know that the number of children from the Traveller community attending Early Childhood Care and Education is lower than the settled community. We are interested in exploring how the Family Link Workers can support parents to understand the lifelong benefits of engagement in early years education in supporting their child’s overall development and specifically their level of school readiness. We also want to acknowledge the context of the Early Year settings and the work that may be required to ensure they are a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for Traveller children and their parents.

Outputs

The Outputs will be further developed between an inter-agency working group overseeing the Tender and the successful consultants.

1. To develop training and resources to support Family Link Workers in promoting a quality, achievable home learning environment for the families they are working with.
2. To develop culturally appropriate promotional and educational materials for Traveller parents - that fosters an understanding of what Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is, what benefits children gain from attending and participating in pre-school.
3. To explore the local barriers (i.e. culture, tradition, transport etc.) in areas where Family Link Workers are situated, that might prevent Traveller children accessing Early Childhood Care and Education.

Requirements

1. Knowledge, skills and experience in training and programme development in early years childhood development.
2. Knowledge, skills and experience in working with the Traveller community.
3. Knowledge of the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Charter and Guidelines for Early Childhood Care and Education.
4. Has an understanding and knowledge of the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide.
5. Demonstrable experience of creating practical, accessible outputs and resources
6. Experience and commitment to working from an anti-racist and anti-discrimination practice.
7. Experience in and commitment to working collaboratively, ensuring transparency and respect in all aspects of the work.

Application Process

1. Cover letter, including guiding principles, and an outline plan and methodology for 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. Examples of other previous aligned work.
5. Timeframe for the completion of tasks.
6. Details of two referees.
7. Applicants should include tax clearance and insurance details as part of the application.

Criteria pertaining to the evaluation of tenders.

1. Quality; Service delivery proposal (70%) training and programme development in early years childhood development.
2. The understanding of the brief.(20%)
3. Price Proposal (10%)

Start Date & Budget

The maximum budget available is €35,000 inclusive of VAT and expenses. The expected timeframe for completion of the work is 9 months, commencing Q3, 2025.

Completed tenders should be returned by email to Bernie Laverty: bernie.laverty@tusla.ie (087 4059799).

Closing date: Noon on Wednesday 7th May 2025