Consultancy for an Individual Consultant to Provide Technical Assistance for the Analysis of Systems for Screening, Early identification, Referrals, Assessment & Early Intervention in Developmental Delays and Disability in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT:

^[1]The early childhood period is now regarded as the most important developmental phase throughout the lifespan. It is a time of remarkable physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth. Development in these years is both highly robust and highly vulnerable (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000). Almost every aspect of early human development is affected by the environments and experiences that are encountered beginning early in the prenatal period and extending throughout the early childhood years (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000).

Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions that manifest as impairments in physical, social, language, emotional or behavioural development or in learning. About one in six children in the U.S. have one or more developmental disabilities or other developmental delays (Boyle et al., 2011). Examples of developmental disabilities include: autism, behaviour disorders, brain injury, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, intellectual disability and spina bifida.

Early intervention has been shown to be effective in improving the outcome of children with developmental disabilities (Simeonsson & Singer, 2007). Early intervention provides young children diagnosed with developmental disabilities with the services needed to enhance their development. Early intervention, however, is most successful when provided to children at the earliest opportunity. Early identification of developmental disabilities and disorders is therefore critical to the success of early intervention.

However, many children with developmental problems are not being identified as early as possible. This is primarily due to limited knowledge on the importance of screening, early identification and early intervention; limited knowledge of screening tools and their use and limited availability of professional therapeutic and other intervention services.

Establishing a comprehensive screening programme is the first step in developing a comprehensive early intervention system. While an effective screening programme may include periodic screening at several levels or tiers, it must also ensure that services are provided for children who require therapeutic and other interventions.

In 2011, a Regional Forum was convened in St. Vincent and the Grenadines by CARICOM and The Caribbean Child Support Initiative (now The Foundation for the Development of Caribbean Children) which brought together Stakeholders from the sectors of Health, Education, Social Development as well as Parenting Support Agencies to explore practical strategies for supporting the development of children zero to three years, particularly the most vulnerable. The Forum was attended by seventy three (73) participants from eighteen (18) countries across the region, and from nine (9) regional organizations with participants drawn from representatives from Ministries of Health, Education, and Social Development and 21 representing regional and international agencies.

The Forum was designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences and the exploration of new opportunities and approaches to support the development of children in the zero to three population.  Roundtable discussions were organized around six themes, one of which focused on issues related to screening, referral and early intervention services.  This theme responded to a Key Note Presentation by Leon Charles, Consultant on “An update on the Status of children zero to three and the services and supports available to them in the Caribbean. Where are the gaps? What are the challenges in meeting the gaps?” Whilst Barbados and St. Vincent & the Grenadines shared a few interventions, it was agreed that there were major gaps in this focus area across the Caribbean region. Some challenges and recommendations^[2] were tabled in the report:

Human resources – not enough therapists – UWI Mona has developed a Child Development Therapy Associate Degree programme to train and qualify community based therapists; need to encourage career paths in the areas identified: Occupational therapy; physiotherapy; speech therapy; audiology; ophthalmology – to include pediatric specialisms

The need for more collaboration between agencies; for example through the use of a single identifier number for all nationals from the cradle to the grave. Some countries have experience in establishing a single beneficiary system in social protection, or using a universal pupil number on entry to the school system. It would be useful to review these experiences, and consider how a Child Profile could ensure access to supports across sectors/in transition between life stages; and

Screening tools should be regionally and nationally identified, validated and used; a regional pediatrician to guide the process. Caution that once a decision to screen is made at national level, concurrently, proper referral systems and procedures need to be put in place for diagnosis and early intervention services.

At the end of the forum three types of regional supports were identified as being useful in facilitating the implementation of the follow-up actions which were identified - products, training and coordination and collaboration. Under Products – Strategies, Guidelines and Models – three key interventions identified included:

Mapping of policies and strategies that exist in the region;

• Development of a model for a Screening, Referral and Early Intervention system for developmental delay and disability;
• Development of a screening tool for early intervention of children at multiple risk.              

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY:

The key objective of this work is to comprehensively analyze the systems currently being implemented relating to screening, referral, identification, assessments and early intervention for children, zero to five (0-5), in St. Vincent & the Grenadines in order to improve tools, services, policies etc. This information is critical to support sustainable planning, decision making and development in this sector. The Multi-Country Programme Action Plan 2012-2016 aimed to increase access to quality services for all children^[3] and this focus continues into the new cycle, 2017-2021.   

SCOPE OF WORK:

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the Supervision of the UNICEF Early Childhood Development Specialist and the Senior personnel in the Ministry of Education, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, the Consultant/Contractor would be required to prepare comprehensive reports and detailed presentations that will facilitate engagement with stakeholders at all levels.

It is anticipated that the Consultant will work closely with the personnel/all stakeholders to:

• Access and gather available data (2012– 2016)  through Ministries of Health, Education, Social Development, Statistical Departments, Public and Private Sector indicating developmental delays, behavioural disorders and learning disabilities identified / diagnosed  in children zero – five years (0-5);
• Identify the diagnostic and intervention services available to  children zero – five years (0-5)
• Identify the validated screening and assessment tools currently in use at national level with the 0-5 cohort;
• Determine the human, financial and physical resources necessary to provide effective and efficient Primary level screening services and Secondary/Tertiary level diagnostic and intervention services at national level;
• Determine the factors inhibiting sustainable and effective systems in this sector;
• Identify the key components for establishing a National Early Intervention System.

Inclusion of cross-cutting areas:

1. Quality and Equity: How are the needs of “at risk" and vulnerable children and their families being addressed?

2. Universal or Targeted interventions: How are current systems being implemented? Recommendation should be given through analysis of Human, Financial and Physical considerations.

3. Governance, Policy and Standards: What are the policies and other frameworks guiding the developments in the sector? Consider issues of adoption of good practices in ECD in this area of focus.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Availability and implementation of protocols, the implementation of a Results and Monitoring Framework, clearly defined M&E indicators, systematic management of data to track developmental progress.

DELIVERABLES:

Deliverables	Outputs	Estimated Completion Deadlines
Complete a desk review of  policies and reports relevant to this area of study   Access and gather available data (2012 – 2016) through Ministries of Health, Education, Social Development , Statistical Departments , Public and Private Sector indicating  developmental delays, behavioural disorders and learning disabilities identified / diagnosed  in children zero – five(0-5) years in St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Preparation of a Technical Note with annotated bibliography   A database organized and prepared for sharing	2 weeks                    5  weeks
Provide  a mapping of  the range and scope of diagnostic and intervention services available to the 0-5 cohort   Provide  a mapping  of  validated screening and assessment tools currently in use at national level with the 0-5 cohort   The range of early intervention professionals providing services to 0-5 cohort.	Document the range and scope of Diagnostic and intervention services available to the (0-5)   Validated screening and assessment tools currently serving the 0-5 cohort at national level   The range of early intervention professionals providing services for the (0-5) cohort   Sources of funding for early intervention services
Identify barriers and bottlenecks which are  inhibiting  sustainable and effective systems in the sector   Determine the range of human and physical resources necessary to provide effective and efficient Primary level screening services and Secondary /Tertiary level diagnostic and intervention services   Identify key recommendations  for establishing or enhancing/improving a National Early Intervention System	Completion of  the First draft of the Report for Sharing, Review and Feedback   Presentation of Key Findings – National Stakeholders’ Consultation	3  weeks
Finalisation of the Report	Final Report	2 weeks

 

COMPETENCIES: 

The Consultant is expected to have skills in research and analysis, together with personal and professional ethics and integrity, and basic skills in human rights and gender equity analysis.

• Ability to apply knowledge of the CRC, Human Rights informed approaches, Sustainable Development Goals in ECD etc.
• Strong research capacity and high level analytical skills
• Clarity of understanding and conceptualization of early childhood development  issues
• Demonstrated excellence in written English; superior verbal and interpersonal communications skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively essential, with a clean record for timely delivery of high quality products
• Advanced  proficiency in the use of Microsoft applications and related software
• Sound analytical and synthesis skills, proven track record in the conduct of research, needs assessments, sector reviews/evaluations, and policy analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters or PhD Level Degree in Clinical / Developmental Psychology, or an advanced University Degree in related fields of Education,  Special Education and Disability in educational settings, Child Development, Behaviour Psychology, Social Policy or relevant discipline.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of five years progressive work experience conducting research, needs assessments, sector or programme reviews / evaluations, and policy analysis.
• Knowledge and Practical experience in analyzing available data/information to make recommendations for effective and sustainable interventions.
• Experience and good knowledge of systematic issues in ECD in the Caribbean.
• Experience in facilitating participatory consultations for the purpose of strategy development.

DURATION of CONTRACT:

The contract duration will be for a period of three (3) months to commence upon completion of the contracting process.

Official Travel:

If the Consultant does not reside in St. Vincent & the Grenadines it is anticipated that the consultant would be required to visit the country at least two (2) times. Overseas travel to St. Vincent & the Grenadines will be included in the contract fee giving consideration to the prevailing conditions of the contract. Consultants will be responsible for their own travel arrangements which will be made in consultation with Mrs. Gwenette Cambridge, Ministry of Education, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Shelly-Ann Harper, UNICEF ECD Specialist.

ESTIMATED BUDGET:

The fee for this assignment is negotiable within the standard range for professionals.

PAYMENT:

The Consultant will be paid in a phased approach based on completion of the required deliverables.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:

Prior to commencing the contract, the following conditions must be met:The Individual Consultant will be required to submit samples of previous relevant work, a statement of good health, accompanied by a recent Medical Certificate which indicates that the Consultant is fit for work and travel.  In addition, the Consultant is required to certify in the Health Statement that he/she is covered by medical/health insurance. The statement includes confirmation that he/she has been informed of any inoculation required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized. He/she takes full responsibility for the accuracy of the statement.

PROPERTY RIGHTS:

UNICEF shall hold all property rights, such as copyright, patents and registered trademarks, on matter directly related to, or derived from, the work carried out through this contract with UNICEF.

RECOURSE:

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. Performance indicators against which the satisfactory conclusion of this contract will be assessed include: timeliness/quality of submission and responsiveness to UNICEF and counterpart feedback.

HOW TO APPLY:

Prospective Consultant s should apply through UNICEF's E-recruitment system, no later than 30 June 2017. The application package should include:  

1. A cover letter with express of interest
2. A detailed Curriculum Vitae
3. A duly completed United Nations Personal History form (P11)
4. A Financial Proposal with the expected cost and detailed budget. Estimated travel costs should be included if necessary.

 

ONLY SUITABLE PROPOSALS WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED