RFT for the Provision of Focus Group Research to assist in the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act 2004

Tender description

The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 provides for the education of children aged under 18 years with special educational needs. As it has been over 18 years since the original Act was drafted the department needs to ensure that feedback is received in relation to how the Act can reflect the lived experiences and how the legislation can be amended to address and provide an appropriate legislative basis. The purpose of the review is to provide assurance that there is an adequate legislative basis for the educational provision, both current and planned, for children with special educational needs in order to protect the interests of the children concerned and their families and those of the state. The first phase of the public consultation process commenced in November 2022 and will run until March 2023. This involves the key stakeholders being invited to complete an online survey. The survey is seeking the views of: children with special educational needs, parents, teachers, SNAs, school leaders, early years’ educators, professionals and the general public. The data generated through the online consultation process will be analysed, collated and documented. The findings and key themes from the online process will be instrumental in guiding the focus group sessions with key stakeholders, which are the subject of this RFT. The themes and questions will be developed by the successful tenderer in conjunction with the Department. The focus group process will provide deeper, qualitative insights into issues relevant to the review than are possible with surveys alone. The focus groups will also be an important mechanism for accessing the voices of stakeholders who may not have engaged with the online survey process. The department through this RFT require a report outlining analysis of the focus group sessions.