IASLT: Invitation to Tender

Date: 11th January 2024

The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists invites suitably qualified and experienced candidates to deliver on a project to review IASLTs membership categories and profiles to ensure that our membership categories are fit for purpose.

One of IASLT’s Strategic Goals is ‘To continue to foster a vibrant, engaged speech and language therapy community’ (IASLT Strategic Plan, 2023-25). In order to achieve this objective the Board have decided that it is a priority to review current IASLT membership categories and offerings.

About IASLT

The Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists (IASLT) is the recognised professional association of speech & language therapists in Ireland. IASLT is a membership organisation. IASLT provides information, resources and CPD opportunities to SLTs currently working or considering work in Ireland. We actively promote the speech and language therapy profession in Ireland and advocate for our service users. We strive to provide up-to-date information for the general public to aid in the understanding of common speech and language disorders and to increase awareness of available services. The IASLT is the voice for speech and language therapists in Ireland by representing the profession at national and international level.

Requirements are as follows:

  • IASLT is a membership organisation. It is important that candidates understand current IASLT membership categories and offerings.
  • Profile current IASLT membership.
  • Understand if there are any membership categories whose needs we are not meeting eg retired members, non-practicing members, academics (non-SLT).
  • Explore new membership categories eg CORU Registered SLTs no longer working in the SLT profession, SLT Assistants.
  • Make detailed recommendations to the IASLT Board in relation to membership categories.
  • Once recommendations are approved by the IASLT Board develop detailed process maps for all of the agreed IASLT membership categories.

The project should include the following:

Gather data on membership categories for HSCP Colleagues (ISCP, AOTI) and MRA Colleagues (SPA, RCSLT, NZSTA, SAC, ASHA).

Complete detailed analysis of current IASLT membership categories and identify the membership cohorts whose needs IASLT is currently not meeting.

Conduct focus groups with CORU Registered SLTs no longer working within the profession to understand what their place in IASLT might look like.

Conduct focus group with retired members and others who are not members but who are unable to join due to current restrictions.

Submit a report to the IASLT Board which should include detailed recommendations in relation to membership categories, proposed changes in terminology, benefits  and associated fees.

Develop clear processes for each membership category ensuring clarity in relation to where operational responsibilities lie versus professional standards considerations eg new graduate competencies.

 

Tender Process:

IASLT is seeking submissions from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to deliver on a project to  review IASLTs membership categories and profiles to ensure that our membership categories are fit for purpose.  The successful candidates will be responsible for making clear recommendations to the IASLT Board in relation to membership categories, associated fees and also to develop clear processes for each membership category.

Budget:

As part of the tender process you will be asked to submit a project budget. This budget should include VAT. The amount should not include organisational costs of in-person consultations, such as venue hire or catering costs, which will be covered by IASLT. It is envisaged that IASLT may be able to provide support in sourcing relevant consultation venues.

Time frames for project completion:

Project initiation and planning: March 24

Research: April 24

Focus groups and stakeholder interviews: May/June 24

Report writing: July 2024

Report delivery: August 2024

Skills and competencies of candidate:

  • Delivery of similar projects.
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • An understanding of membership based organisations.

Application process:

The project plan should include the following:

  • Outline of project plan and key deliverables
  • Outline of project budget
  • Outline of key considerations when embarking on this type of research project
  • Demonstrate understanding of participatory methodologies and key considerations.

Informal enquires to coo@iaslt.ie

Applicants should send an up-to-date CV, cover letter, and project plan to coo@iaslt.ie

by 5pm, 29th February 2024.