Request For Tender: Review Of The Local Bereavement Network Programme

Request for tenderIHF wishes to commission a review of their Local Bereavement Network programme.
This review will describe and map the impact of Local Bereavement Networks over time; describe, map and learn from similar networks; and develop a sustainable model for Local Bereavement Networks.     About Irish Hospice FoundationIrish Hospice Foundation (IHF) is a national charity that addresses dying, death and bereavement in Ireland.
Our vision is an Ireland where people facing end of life or bereavement, and those who care for them, are provided with the care and support that they need.
Our mission is to work towards the best end-of-life and bereavement care for all.
Our values are integrity, courage, compassion, respect, and dignity. Background to this studyThe collaboration of bereavement service providers, at a local and national level, has been identified as a priority in Ireland as a way of enhancing bereavement care (National Bereavement Forum, 2016; 2017; McLoughlin, 2018). The first Local Bereavement Network (LBN) was established in North Dublin in 2016 by IHF and a number of bereavement service providers who operated in the North Dublin region.
The network was established to connect local bereavement service providers and to facilitate collaboration among the network members to raise awareness of bereavement and bereavement services available locally.
In 2017, members felt the network required designated management for the operation of the network.
It was agreed IHF would be best placed to take on this role due to its experience of in bereavement development and a working knowledge of national bereavement policy and practice. Two additional networks were established by IHF in South Dublin in 2020 and Kildare in 2021, building on local interest. More recently IHF also provides support to two LBNs in Galway and Limerick.
Although IHF does not have a day-to-day operational role in the Galway and Limerick LBNs, it provides operational guidance based on their experience of establishing North Dublin, South Dublin and Kildare networks.
   Irish Hospice Foundation also promotes the development of the LBN Programme through the Local Bereavement Development Grants.
These annual grants aim to encourage and support collaborative bereavement developments at a local level.
Already existing groups and newly formed groups are eligible to apply. There are currently five networks under the umbrella of IHF's Local Bereavement Network Programme.
For a network to be incorporated into the LBN programme, they must use the LBN programme's endorsed network membership criteria.
For example, members must represent an organisation, independent providers are not eligible; a non-statutory member organisation must be a registered charity with the Irish Charity Regulator etc.
The network's terms of reference must also include the LBNs Programmes core network objectives.
For example, to share experience and knowledge of each of our services among other network members, to share skills and expertise among network members, to raise public awareness of bereavement and bereavement supports available in the region.
(see Appendix 1 for core network objectives and membership criteria) Generally, the networks meet four times a year for the purpose of sharing key developments and knowledge (ie.
service updates, research, resources and guidelines) in the area of bereavement.
They also function as vehicles for cross sector collaborations, such as organising public events and applying for grants on shared projects. Anecdotally, we know that the networks have a positive impact – encouraging the hosting of local collaborative events for the public, connecting members so they can learn/support each other, raising awareness of practice standards, collective reach out to Level 1 local structures/hubs e.g.
libraries etc.
We have also identified some operational challenges, such as, the lack of capacity of network members to undertake operational/administration tasks of the network, an effective in-between-meeting communication tool has not been identified. Aims and objectivesThe role of Networks, including bereavement networks  Describe the role of networks in social and health development contexts outside of Ireland - their purpose, features, impact, economic benefit.Describe how networks been incorporated into policy, and health and community structures in Ireland.
For example, are networks used within other health and community structures, how are they constituted, why and how were they established etc.)
  Describe international bereavement network models, their purpose, features and impact. Evaluate the current Local  Bereavement Networks (LBN) programme in IrelandDescribe the current operation of the LBNs in Ireland e.g features, membership, terms of reference, governance,  administration etc.Comparative analysis the current operation of the LBNs in Ireland  e.g.
similarities/differences, challenges, strengths/weaknesses , what factors were present which made it possible to set up the LBN etc.Outline the key achievements and impacts (e.g.
did the LBN realise its objectives outlined in its Terms of Reference) to dateIdentify any changes in the vision for, and operationalisation of, the programme over time.A sustainable model for Local Bereavement Networks (LBNs)in IrelandIdentify the critical components and conditions for a thriving LBNWhat would a sustainable LBN  model look like (e.g.
governance, terms of reference etc.
)?How would this model be incorporated into social and health structures in Ireland? What role should IHF play in their development and operations?What other social and health partners could IHF collaborate with to develop a national LBN programme?Describe and assess the role of networks more generally in IHF based on the learning form the LBN review Methodology:Literature review to include  the role of networks in social and health outside of Ireland; examples of international bereavement network models; and how networks have been incorporated into policy, and health and community structures in Ireland.Quantitative and qualitative data, for example stakeholder survey, focus groups, interviews, documentary analysis.Current and former LBN leadsCurrent LBN membersSample of people who have expressed an interest in developing an LBNA sample of social and health leads e.g.
hospital, hospice, primary care, palliative care etc.
  TimeframeWe expect the work to commence February 2025 and be completed no later than July 2025 (6 months). DeliverablesThe final report will be used for internal publication and may inform later external publication with acknowledgement to the author.
IHF reserves the right to edit the final report in line with our own style guidelines. BudgetThe budget for this work will be a maximum of €10,000 and must include VAT and other associated expenses. Assessment criteriaIn line with IHF procedures, applications will be assessed against the following criteria:Quality of proposed methodology and approach to the work in relation to IHF's aims for the workExpertise of the project team in relation to the methodologyRelevance of team's expertise in relation to knowledge about dying, death and bereavementTrack record in undertaking similar reviewsOverall quality of the proposalAccess to relevance databases and journals (both for Irish and European literature)Cost of the research Approach                     40%Experience                   40%Costing                        20% For further informationPlease contact ****** for further information or if you have any queries in relation to the tender proposal. Submitting a tender proposalPlease send an application detailing the following:Approach to each requirement if the brief aboveFull costing of the projectTimeline for the projectAn account of previous work you have conducted in relevant areasTwo referees who can be contacted To submit a tender to undertake this work please send your proposal by email to ******  by 5pm on the Monday 27th of January.
  We will invite potential candidates to meet with us early February.  Appendix 1: Core Network membership criteria, aim and objectives Aim of the networkWorking together to increase awareness of bereavement and improve access to services for the people of Kildare. Objectives of the networkTo create a more coordinated approach to supporting bereaved people in [insert region)To share experience and knowledge of each of our services among other network membersTo share skills and expertise among network membersMaintain awareness and collaborate in agreed national initiatives with other organisations or networks.To share and coordinate knowledge of the bereavement services available in Kildare to the publicTo raise public awareness of bereavement and bereavement supports available in the region What this forum is not:It is not a direct bereavement support service provider but rather a network of organisations who provide services. It is not for clients who may be seeking bereavement support.Membership criteria (must meet all criteria)  A registered charity (must be registered and comply with the codes by the Charities Regulator) or a state organisation An organisation, not an individual bereavement support providerProvide bereavement support to adults, children or familiesOperate in [insert region)