Provision of Research on the Rights and Experiences of Children with Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The Ombudsman for Children's Office seeks a contractor to conduct a comprehensive research study on the rights and experiences of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in mainstream schools in Ireland. The project spans approximately 18 months, from September 2026 to March 2028, with a budget ceiling of €80,000.

• Primary Research: Conduct mixed-methods research involving direct consultation with children, and surveys of educators and parents.
• Secondary Data Analysis: Utilize data from the Growing Up in Ireland study to analyze educational outcomes and wellbeing of children with additional needs.
• Desk-based Review: Review relevant developments in legislation, public policy, services, and practice from a child rights perspective.
• Comparative Analysis: Compare experiences of children in special classes versus those integrated into mainstream classes, focusing on school community involvement, social interactions, and educational experiences.
• Engagement with Stakeholders: Collaborate with the National Council on Special Education and the Department of Education and Youth.
• Research Outputs: Deliver a final research report and a child-friendly summary by March 2028.
• Ethical Considerations: Obtain ethical approval and ensure informed consent, safeguarding anonymity and confidentiality.
• Project Milestones: Interim report by June 2027, draft final report by January 2028, and final outputs by March 2028.

3. Background & buyer context

This research aligns with the Ombudsman for Children's Office's strategic plan (2025–2027) to enhance knowledge on issues affecting children, particularly those with vulnerabilities. The OCO, established in 2004, operates independently to promote children's rights in Ireland. The project addresses ongoing concerns about inclusive education for children with SEN, highlighted in the OCO's "Plan for Places" report. The initiative responds to gaps in data and aims to inform policy and practice improvements in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum turnover of €40,000 for each of the past three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €12.7 million per claim (if applicable).
• Public Liability: €6.5 million per claim.
• Professional Indemnity: €500,000 per claim.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: At least two comparable research projects in the last 3–5 years.
• Personnel: Demonstrated expertise in research involving children and data protection.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Total score: 1000 points. The MEAT approach applies, with a price/quality split of 30/70.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Maximum 6 pages, Arial font 11.
• CVs: Up to 3 CVs, 2 pages each, Europass format.
• Pricing schedule: Detailed cost breakdown, exclusive of VAT.
• Case studies: Minimum of two, detailing past relevant projects.
• Declarations: ESPD, Tax Clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Not applicable.
• Submission portal: eTenders, adhere to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for 18 months, with a possible extension of up to 12 months. Payment is linked to deliverables, with interim payments upon satisfactory interim report delivery. Final payment follows acceptance of the final report. Professional Services Withholding Tax applies. The OCO retains IP ownership of all outputs. Sub-contracting is allowed, but details must be provided. No parent-company guarantee is required.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The turnover threshold is low, potentially favoring smaller firms or consortia. The geographic constraint is absent, broadening the potential bidder pool. The contract's reliance on external data sources like the Growing Up in Ireland study may pose challenges if data access is restricted. The requirement for ethical approval and adherence to GDPR adds complexity, especially for firms inexperienced in these areas.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized research firms with expertise in educational and social policy research. Firms should have experience in child-focused research and data protection. Consortium bids are encouraged, allowing SMEs to partner with larger entities. Bid preparation may require 10-15 days, given the detailed methodology and ethical considerations. The incumbent's influence is minimal, as the tender is open and encourages SME participation.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: "OCO RFT- Research on Children with SEN.pdf"
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or portal: Not specified
• Key attachments: "Appendix B2 — Suitability Assessment", "Mandatory Requirements Schedule"