Draft Outline of Work Plan for the Quality and Capacity Building Initiative
(QCBI)
The following paper reframes and refines a number of immediate and medium term tasks outlined
in the QCBI document which are necessary to advance this ambitious initiative. This draft work plan
outlines the initial development phase for the QCBI and each of the key component work packages
involved. It details the support-building process necessary for the development of this initiative and
outlines the support and governance arrangements envisaged to ensure the effective
implementation of the QCBI.
1. Development Phase:
To refine and target the focus of the QCBI a landscape analysis and needs assessment will be carried
out to collect information on existing initiatives/programmes relating to quality and capacity building
and specific developments relating to the 4 key components of the QCBI. It will also identify gaps
and areas for development regarding same. This survey will also be framed with reference to the
related commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and will target all existing groupings
interfacing with the Policy Innovation Unit. It will also involve the communication and consultation
on the following levels: nationally (via line departments and agencies); professionally and sectorally
(via professional associations and sectoral workforce interests); and locally (via Children and Young
People’s Services Committees). It is assumed that this will also comprehend key practice sectors
such as early years education, speech and language therapy, child welfare, education, family support
and youth work.
When this survey is completed, it will, along with the discussions had via bilaterals, serve to sharpen
the focus of this draft work plan and respective 4 component work packages. Following this a QCBI
project plan and an accompanying underpinning theory of change model will be finalised. This will
be done with reference to the mandate from BOBF and its specific commitments, and build upon the
existing cross-sectoral logic model for prevention and early intervention identified by DCYA as a
priority action by DCYA under BOBF. Further desk research may be required to identify the optimum
composition and development of the specific components of the QCBI.
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 Approach to the development of the QCBI
It is important to note that the design and delivery of the QCBI will follow a developmental
approach. Each of the various components will be developed in a phased format and will be based
on needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation throughout the process to ensure that it meets the
needs of stakeholders and is responsive to emerging themes and trends. Furthermore, additional
activities such as further stakeholder engagement and the possibility of piloting specific actions will
be considered as the implementation phase is progressed.
This approach is line with the iterative development process envisaged for the development and
implementation of the initiative.

Commencing the process
The QCBI will be led by the Policy Innovation Unit. A QCBI project team will be established which will
utilise the staffing supports within this unit working to the Principal Officer. However, additional
external supports for the initial implementation phase will be considered. Following this it is
envisaged that the further development of the project team will utilise supports and be informed
professional leadership from the field.
The following outlines the next steps in the commencement of the implementation of the QCBI:
Aim
Action
Sign off key elements, project scope and work packages for further development and
elaboration as part of the formal commencement of the programme
1. Sign-off on draft outline of work plan.
2. Prepare communications as pre-cursor to bilateral meetings and schedule all key
bilaterals.
3. Explore option of securing/seconding support for a project lead for the QCBI.
4. Develop and carry out a structured landscape analysis in respect of the QCBI and
each of the 4 work packages. This will take the form of a survey /needs
assessment for key informants to test the four key elements, inform the
refinement of the QCBI and build connections and ownership with key
stakeholders.
5. Analyse results of landscape analysis and bilaterals.
Final
Output
Timeline
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6. Refine QCBI, develop an initial high level project plan and associated risk register.
 Project Plan developed
 Formal support building commenced
By end March – early April
2. QCBI Work Packages 1-4:
Outline of the Quality and Capacity Building Initiative (QCBI)
1
Enhancing the
Information Base
(Data)
4
Enhancing and
Sustaining Quality
(Delivery)
QCBI in Prevention
and Early
Intervention to
optimise outcomes
for children and
young peoople
2
Enhancing the
Evidence Base
(Learning)
3
Enhancing the
Capacity of the
workforce
(Coaching and
Development)
The following is an outline of the first phase of actions and envisaged in respect of each of the 4
QCBI components which will be progressed in the form of work packages.
Work Component 1: Enhanced information base
Aim
Phase 1
Action
Steps /
Status
Improve access and use of data and information relating to children, young people
and their families.
Development of work package: scoping exercise and selection (scoping report,
landscape analysis and bilaterals) informing next steps for phase 2.
1. Secure consultancy to develop a roadmap
Current Position
for options regarding the development of a
Consultant contracted
data hub relating to children and young
Report due late February.
people.
2. Identify key option for the development of
the data hub based on preferred options
identified in the scoping report and
informed by findings from landscape
analysis and bilaterals.
Final
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3. Further development of project activities
required to deliver on this option.
Development of a live and actively resourced data hub and indicators dashboard that
includes data relating to children and young people which is relevant for policy-
makers, providers, and practitioners (and where relevant, the public). This will have
due regard to the relevant commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures
Framework. Drawing on existing sources and initiatives data would be available
through a single point (hub or platform) and presented at a range of levels (national,
regional, local) to various audiences in innovative and accessible formats. This
information should also assist in needs assessment; planning; budgeting; and the
commissioning of services.
Dec 15 – Dec 16
Timeline
DCYA, DoH, DPER, DES, CSO, HSE, Tusla, QCBI Steering Group, BOBF structures,
Key
informants International organisations/agencies with relevant expertise, CYPSP Northern Ireland,
Local Health Authority UK etc.
County Level Data, BOBF indicators, State of Nation’s Children Report, CSO outputs,
Related
initiatives Open Data Portal by DPER, Health Atlas, Barnardos mapping initiative.
National Statistics Boards’ Strategy, CSO Administrative Data Centre, National
Strategy on Data and Research on Children 2011-2016 etc.
Output
Work component 2: Enhanced evidence base through research and learning
Aim
Phase 1
Action
Steps/
Status
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Harness the evidence base from prevention and early intervention programmes and
research; filter and quality assure research evidence for the field; and support
dissemination and use of evidence that informs prevention and early intervention
services.
Development of work package: scoping existing initiatives and findings from
landscape analysis and bilaterals gathering and appraising key sources in research and
learning; examination of possible approaches to dissemination systems.
Commencement of a “pilot” approach for key research arising from PEIP/ABC and
related funded initiatives as a first step.
1. Consider findings from landscape analysis
and bilaterals to inform work package.
2. Develop template for meta summary of
findings from PEIP, ABC and related
initiatives and undertake desktop analysis of
literature informed by those findings.
3. Consider how best to quality assure and
offer guidance on findings relating to
evidence based & informed approaches
under the 5 National Outcomes via the
development of a matrix/suite of evidence
informed interventions.
4. Examine suitable media and software
offerings to support presentation and
dissemination of research information from
existing initiatives. This will include bilaterals
with key informants.
5. Develop/build on existing research
hubs/platforms to disseminate PEIP, ABC
and AP related evaluations in order to test
accessibility, sustainability and overall
usefulness.
6. Further development of project activities
required to deliver on this option.
Current Position
Final
Output
Development of an assessed suite of evidence informed approaches (programmatic,
process and practice-based) under each of the 5 National Outcomes for children and
young people. This will be accompanied by toolkits and tip sheets relating to the
evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches under each of the outcome areas
and be presented in an innovative and interactive format.
May 16 – March 17
Timeline
DCYA, DoH, DPER, DES, CSO, HSE, Tusla, QCBI Steering Group, BOBF structures, CES,
Key
informants Prevention and Early Intervention Network/ Atlantic Philanthropies grantees, Child
Related
initiatives
and Family Research Centre NUIG, Institute of Public Health in Ireland; International
organisations/agencies with relevant expertise: Education Endowment Foundation
UK, Alliance for Useful Evidence UK, Evidence Informed Foundation UK etc.
 CES: Capturing the Leaning and Ten Years of Learning Initiatives, TUSLA PPFS,
Katherine Howard Foundation/HSE Nurture
 International organisations/agencies with relevant expertise: Education
Endowment Foundation UK, Alliance for Useful Evidence UK, Evidence Informed
Foundation UK etc.
Work component 3: Enhanced capacities through coaching and development
Aim
Enhance the capacity and skills development of policymakers, providers and
practitioners in the appraisal and application of evidence informed approaches in
prevention and early intervention for children and young people through coaching
and development.
Phase 1
Action
Development of work package: scoping out existing provision and need via findings
from landscape analysis and bilaterals. Identify and develop innovative approaches in
content and format in the provision of coaching and development in evidence
informed approaches to prevention and early intervention.
Steps/
Status
1. Consider findings from landscape analysis
and bilaterals to inform work package.
2. Identification of key components relating to
evidence informed approaches in
prevention and early intervention including,
for example: (i) how to select evidence
based/informed programmes and
approaches and optimise data use; (ii) how
to successfully implement and use these to
inform practice and mainstream models of
service delivery; (iii) how to embed
informative assessment of the impact of
services on children and families into
practice management systems.
3. Scope new methods of coaching and
mentoring to embed evidence based
practice throughout the system:
 Examine new and innovative ways of peerto-peer and management coaching and
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Current Position


supports.
Examine the scope for “crowd-sourced”
communities of practice to mainstream
coaching and mentoring through the system
utilising the field.
Examine latest thinking, approaches and
technologies on successful coaching and
mentoring for organisational change and
practice change. This should include
learning from key informants.
4. Consider carrying out a further training
needs analysis across children’s services
(e.g. via CYPSCs and key agencies etc.) via
focus groups/online survey.
Final
Output
5. Further development of project activities
required to deliver on this option.
High-end training and development module in prevention and early intervention
that may be (i) incorporated in 3rd level formation training for relevant disciplines; (ii)
provided as part of CPD arrangements for relevant professional groupings; and (iii)
offered on an organisational/agency and sectoral basis; and regionally via the CYPSC
infrastructure. This will fully utilise and translate the resources developed in work
components 1 & 2 and offer additional expert support in implementation, evaluation
and other key enabling supports. An innovative and efficient support will be put in
place for the development and delivery of this component. It will aim to develop
“crowd-sourced” communities of practice and maximise the use of social media and
other innovative methods of in-job coaching and support.
March 17 – March 18
Timeline
DCYA, DoH, DPER, DES, CSO, HSE, Tusla, QCBI Steering Group, BOBF structures, CES,
Key
informants Prevention and Early Intervention Network/ Atlantic Philanthropies grantees, Child
Related
initiatives
and Family Research Centre NUIG, International organisations/agencies with relevant
expertise: Education Endowment Foundation UK, Alliance for Useful Evidence UK,
Evidence Informed Foundation UK etc.
Better Start by DCYA; PPFSP by Tusla; Nurture by HSE; Education Supports DES; CPD
via Professional Bodies etc.
Work component 4: Enhanced quality development
Aim
Phase 1
Action
Steps/
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Align, enhance and sustain quality in prevention and early intervention as it relates to
the development and delivery of policy, provision and practice for children and young
people.
Development of work package: scoping out existing provision and need via findings
from landscape analysis and bilaterals. Identifying innovative approaches and
examples of frameworks which aim to ensure and enhance quality in prevention and
early intervention.
1. Consider findings from landscape analysis
Current Position
Status
and bilaterals to inform work package.
2. Identify key quality standard elements
arising from the development of work
components 1-3 at point of
commencement.
Final
Output
3. Scope the potential for stand-alone quality
standard or as an added component in
existing quality standard systems.
Development of a shared quality framework system. This will capture and sustain the
learning from work packages 1 – 3 and will apply this in a quality framework
supporting evidenced informed approaches to prevention and early intervention with
children and young people.
Such an approach is important in providing a mechanism for quality assuring the
mainstreaming of learning and addressing any possible implementation deficits that
can occur in such a process. This will offer providers and practitioners the facility to
appraise their development having regard to a proportionate and effective quality
framework system.
This component will be directly informed by the preceding work packages 1- 3. Of its
nature, this work will be phased having regard to the learning derived from the
implementation of these work packages.
March 17 – July 18
Timeline
DCYA, QCBI Steering Group, BOBF structures, CES, Prevention and Early Intervention
Key
informants Network/ Atlantic Philanthropies grantees, Child and Family Research Centre NUIG,
Related
initiatives
International organisations/agencies with relevant expertise.
Existing service and occupational standards: e.g. Siolta – National Quality Framework
for Early Childhood Education; National Quality Standards for Youth Work (NQSF);
Principles of practices via professional bodies etc.
3. Building Support
While there have been a range of discussions had with various grouping and experts in relation to
the development of the QCBI, it is now necessary to adopt a strategic and structured approach to
refining this work plan for the implementation phase. This will, following consultation via bilaterals
and through a landscape analysis survey, inform the finalisation of the QCBI project plan.
Regarding bilaterals, it is envisaged that communications/engagement will be held with the
following key groupings:









BOBF Advisory Council PEI subgroup & BOBF Advisory Council (Meeting 10th February 2016)
DCYA MAC (February 2016)
Relevant units in DCYA e.g. Youth Affairs & Educational Welfare; Early Years Unit (February 2016)
Tusla (Prevention Partnership and Family Support Programme)(February 2016)
BOBF Sponsors Group (by email in January 2016, meeting 23rd February)
BOBF Consortium (meeting 3rd March)
Grouping of Atlantic Philanthropies grantees from the statutory sector in the area of prevention
and early intervention and the Prevention and Early Intervention Network (March 2016)
ABC Interdepartmental Group (by email, next meeting scheduled for April 2016)
Consideration to be given to presenting to the Senior Officials Group (April 2016)
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Bilaterals with agencies (March 2016):
 Pobal
 Tusla
 HSE, Primary Care and Health and Well-Being
 Department of Education
Bilaterals with professional bodies and organisations with a role in professional development (March
2016):
 CORU (Speech and Language Therapist, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists – Psychologists
is to join in 2016)
 Better Start initiative by DCYA,
 Department of Education, Professional Development Service for Teachers
 Teaching Council
 Irish Nurses and Midwife Organisation: Public Health Nurse Section
Output and Timeline: Bilaterals to commence February, completed and analysed by late March.
4. Programme Support and Governance
Steering Group
In the initial development stage of the QCBI, the DCYA will continue to use the Prevention and Early
Intervention subgroup of the Advisory Council to assist in the shaping of initiative. It is envisaged
that this group will continue in place as key a stakeholder grouping which can advise on the design
and delivery of the initiative from the perspective of the Advisory Council.
Following the completion of the landscape analysis and needs assessment, it is proposed that a
Steering Group will be established. This group will be multi-disciplinary in composition and involve
experts and key informants. It will also engage with specialists who have developed innovative
methods in research, data management, workforce development and organisational change
initiatives. The purpose of this group will be to advise on the development and implementation of a
targeted, efficient and high-impact QCBI.
Potential Steering Group composition:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Area of Expertise
Central Government Officials
Academics
Organisational Expertise
Change Management and workforce development
Expert in Public Administration
Expert in Children’s Sector
State Agency
Health Expert/Rep
Education Expert/Rep
Independent Expert
Practitioner
Professional Bodies Representative
International Expert in Social Change initiatives
Other
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Operational Support
As referred to earlier a Project Team will be established in the Policy Innovation Unit to advance this
initiative. This will build on the work of the unit in respect of its work in the area of prevention and
early intervention and related initiatives.
5. Next Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Sign-off material on QCBI – this document and Frequently Asked Questions document.
Submission to Secretary General and Minister updating on the advancement of the QCBI.
Development of initial GANT Project Plan Chart for preparatory steps.
Undertake preparatory steps for implementation as outlined in this paper.
Finalisation of QCBI Project Plan and Risk Register.
Policy Innovation Unit
2 February, 2016
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