VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS SERVICE FUNDING CALL PEACE IV

Transcription

1 VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS SERVICE FUNDING CALL PEACE IV Application for Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers Supporting victims and survivors in the following areas: North West Region of Northern Ireland and Ireland Great Britain (England, Scotland & Wales) West Belfast South Down/Louth South Armagh/Monaghan A project supported by the European Union s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body Page 1 of 30

2 Contents Chapter 1 Background to the Victims and Survivors Service... 3 Chapter 2 Vision, Mission, Values and Principles of the Victims and Survivors Service... 5 Chapter 3 Overview of the Application Process Eligibility Criteria Application Process Timeline... 7 Chapter 4 PEACE IV Shared Spaces and Services... 8 Health & Wellbeing Caseworkers Delivery Job Descriptions Eligible area Chapter 5 Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements Chapter 6 Quality Assurance and Clinical Governance Chapter 7 Assessment of Applications Appeals Flowchart Summary of Assessment Process Chapter 8 Expenditure that VSS can fund through PEACE IV Chapter 9 Scoring Process Chapter 10 Job Description PART A: ELIGIBILITY SIFT PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE Page 2 of 30

3 Chapter 1 Background to the Victims and Survivors Service The Victims and Survivors Service Limited (VSS) is the delivery body named in the ten-year Strategy for Victims and Survivors published by the Office of the First and deputy First Minister, now known as The Executive Office. The VSS is responsible for providing support and services to victims and survivors on behalf of The Executive Office. Victims and Survivors has the meaning ascribed by the Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, as amended by the Commission for Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Act This definition has two distinctive dimensions, as follows: (1) In this Order references to victim and survivor are references to an individual appearing to the Commission to be any of the following- (a) someone who is or has been physically or psychologically injured as a result of or in consequence of a conflict-related incident; (b) someone who provides a substantial amount of care on a regular basis for an individual mentioned in paragraph (a); or (c) someone who has been bereaved as a result of or in consequence of a conflict-related incident. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), an individual may be psychologically injured as a result of or in consequence of (a) witnessing a conflict-related incident or the consequences of such an incident; or (b) providing medical or other emergency assistance to an individual in connection with a conflict-related incident. 1 The Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) was established to deliver support and services for all victims and survivors of troubles/conflict-related incidents. The VSS operates two Programmes of funding: 1. The Individual Needs Programme (INP), which delivers financial support and direct access to goods and services to individual victims and survivors in particular circumstances. 2. The Victims Support Programme (VSP), which delivers funding to organisations that provide Health and Wellbeing and Social Support services to victims and survivors across Northern Ireland. 1 Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, which is available online at: Page 3 of 30

4 These Programmes enable the VSS to provide accessible, responsive and coordinated services to meet the needs of victims and survivors in an integrated way. The VSS has also been named as lead partner for the victims and survivors element of the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE IV). PEACE IV provides funding for cross-border Health and Wellbeing services by increasing the quality of care in the sector for victims and survivors and their families. The VSS opened a call for applications under the Victims Support Programme and PEACE IV in November organisations were successful in securing funding through these programmes to deliver Health and Wellbeing services to victims and survivors and to establish a network of Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers and Advocacy Support services. Both programmes complement each other and will help to integrate and co-ordinate the community, voluntary and statutory sector to assist individual victims and survivors to develop and build positive relationships and independence. As a result of this call, VSS were able to fund 21 Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers. However, a strategic geographical gap remains in the following areas: North West Region of Northern Ireland and Ireland Great Britain (England, Scotland & Wales) West Belfast South Down/Louth South Armagh/Monaghan The VSS is specifically opening a call for additional Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers to address these strategic geographical gaps. It is anticipated that 1 Health and Wellbeing Caseworker will be allocated to each of the 5 geographical areas above. The final allocation will be dependent on the needs and demands demonstrated by applicants. Page 4 of 30

5 Chapter 2 Vision, Mission, Values and Principles of the Victims and Survivors Service OUR VISION To improve the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors OUR MISSION We work to ensure that victims and survivors, and the wider community, are aware of the VSS We work to support victims and survivors to access quality services We listen to and learn from victims and survivors and others OUR VALUES TRUST Working confidentially, impartially and respectfully with victims and survivors and others to develop and sustain an open and honest relationship UNDERSTANDING Listening to and learning from victims and survivors and others RESPONSIVE Continually developing our people and services through growth and innovation ACCOUNTABLE Applying good corporate and clinical governance to all that we do OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES Address the practical and other needs of victims and survivors in a coordinated manner Be victim and survivor centred and driven Ensure that services for victims and survivors are provided in response to assessed need, adhere to published standards and are designed to have clear outcomes Page 5 of 30

6 Chapter 3 Overview of the Application Process The VSS is opening a funding call with a specific focus on improving the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors within the geographical areas outlined below: Table 1: Funding Call Programme Duration Anticipated Number Eligible Area PEACE IV Shared Spaces and Services Victims and Survivors Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers October 2017 March For this specific funding call the HWB Caseworker must be based in and providing support in the specific regional areas specified below: North West Region of Northern Ireland and Ireland Great Britain (England, Scotland & Wales) West Belfast South Down/Louth South Armagh/Monaghan Project delivery must be realistic and offer value for money with a clear and demonstrated focus on improving the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors. Organisations proposing to submit an application for funding are advised to read this document thoroughly, to ensure they are familiar with the application process and the outcomes to be delivered. 3.1 Eligibility Criteria Any legally constituted organisation is eligible to apply to the VSS, provided they can demonstrate that the services they are applying to deliver are solely focused on victims and survivors as defined under the Victims and Survivors (NI) Order As part of the application process, all applicant organisations will be required to: Page 6 of 30

7 Have a constitution or set of rules which are dated and signed as adopted by the date the application is submitted Provide an up to date (within the last 6 months) bank statement in the legal name of the organisation Provide a list of current Committee/Board members Provide copies of Financial Reports covering the last 3 years Provide evidence of appropriate up to date insurance cover. Note: These documents will be requested as per PART A. Further information is available on page Application Process Organisations intending to apply to should complete a BUSINESS PLAN (format included at PART B of this document). 3.3 Timeline The timeline is as follows: Call opens: Monday 31 st July 2017 Closing Date (Deadline): Tuesday 29 th August 2017 at 12 noon VSS Decision Making Process: September 2017 Notification of funding allocated: 30 th September 2017 Letters of Offer issued: 1 st October 2017 Services contracted to commence: 1 st October 2017 VSS will only accept applications at the following address: Victims & Survivors Service 1 st Floor, Seatem House Alfred Street Belfast BT2 8EN By post: applicants are advised to send these via recorded delivery and ensure correct postage is affixed. VSS will not accept items where there is a cost for underpaid postage or where there is a delay in the postal system. By hand: a proof of receipt will be given on delivery of applications by hand. Late applications will not be accepted. Page 7 of 30

8 Chapter 4 PEACE IV Shared Spaces and Services The overall aim of PEACE IV Shared Spaces and Services Victims and Survivors is to improve the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors. This programme will target hard to reach and marginalised individuals and communities that have suffered as a result of the Troubles/Conflict, through the development, implementation and co-ordination of a number of new and innovative initiatives. These are outlined in Figure 2 below. Figure 1: Elements of the PEACE IV Programme for Victims and Survivors Advocacy Support (Truth, Justice and Acknowledgment) Research & improved regulation within the sector Health & Wellbeing Caseworkers & Resilience Support Professional training and capacity building to meet professional standards This call relates to the delivery of objectives in relation to Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers ONLY within the geographical areas outlined on page 4. Page 8 of 30

9 Health & Wellbeing Caseworkers The Health & Wellbeing (HWB) Caseworker will work directly with individual victims and survivors and their families in a pro-active and innovative way to facilitate engagement with services and activities within the statutory, community and voluntary sector in keeping with their needs. They will be the first point of contact for enquiries, liaising with agencies ensuring that complex and sensitive information is communicated with empathy and reassurance. While the Caseworkers will be employed by the applicant organisation, they will be expected to fully engage with the 5 Health and Wellbeing Case Managers employed by VSS. 4.1 Delivery The programme will be delivered as follows: Table 2: Delivery of the PEACE IV Programme for Victims and Survivors Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers Element Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers and Resilience Programme Delivery Integration and co-ordination of the community, voluntary and statutory sector to assist 11,350 individuals to develop and build positive relationships and independence. Recruitment and training of 25 Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers and 1,000 resilience interventions. Through this application process, the VSS is inviting applications from organisations to recruit the following staff: Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers covering specific areas as listed below: North West Region of Northern Ireland and Ireland Great Britain (England, Scotland & Wales) West Belfast South Down/Louth South Armagh/Monaghan It is anticipated that 1 Health and Wellbeing Caseworker will be allocated to each of the 5 geographical areas above. Page 9 of 30

10 The final allocation will be dependent on the needs and demands demonstrated by applicants. 4.2 Job Description It is important that a strategic and holistic approach is adopted to ensure consistency and quality of services; therefore the Job Description which should be used by organisations to recruit these posts is included in CHAPTER 10 of this document. This is included for information only at this point in time. Recruitment can only take place after a Letter of Offer has been issued to the successful applicant organisation in each case. 4.3 Eligible area The eligible area for the PEACE IV Programme is: Northern Ireland; and the Border Region of Ireland (counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo) Organisations located elsewhere are also eligible to apply, provided they can demonstrate that the impact of the project will be on victims and survivors of the Conflict/Troubles, and that the project will deliver value for money However, given the geographical gaps identified by VSS for this specific funding call, caseworkers must be based and providing support within the following areas: North West Region of Northern Ireland and Ireland Great Britain (England, Scotland & Wales) West Belfast South Down/Louth South Armagh/Monaghan Page 10 of 30

11 Chapter 5 Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements The PEACE IV Programme is OUTCOME FOCUSED. This means that ALL projects must demonstrate how they contribute to the achievement of specific outcomes for victims and survivors as outlined in Table 3 below. The Health & Wellbeing Caseworkers will demonstrate outcomes using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale specifically. Table 3: Outcomes Framework Thematic Area per Comprehensive Needs Assessment (Commission for Victims & Survivors, 2012) Health & Wellbeing, Social Support and Transgenerational Strategic Outcome Potential Indicators How will this be measured? We improve the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors and their families 1. Improved mental health 2. Reduced risk 3. Improved physical and social function 4. Reduction of symptoms 5. Positive Attitude 6. Improved Integration 7. Improved quality of life 8. Reduced Isolation and improved social networks 9. Improved family relationships CORENET (Talking Therapies) Collects client reported outcome measures and uses this to manage therapeutic outcomes. MYMOP (Complementary Therapies) Client centred and individualised outcome questionnaire focusing on specific problems but also general wellbeing s/mymop/ Work & Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) Page 11 of 30

12 A Client-centred self-report scale of functional impairment attributable to an identified problem TAKE 5 Monitoring Framework under development by Victims Practitioners Working Group Personal Development We improve access to opportunities for learning and development for victims and survivors 1. Enhanced self-esteem and selfworth 2. Enhanced opportunities to contribute to wellbeing of others Case Studies Surveys (pre and post training) Other measurement tools Financial & Welfare Support Truth, Justice & Acknowledgement We care for victims and survivors and help those most in need We support victims and survivors and their families to engage in legacy issues 1. Improved Financial Support 2. Greater sense of responsibility and independence in addressing practical needs 3. Increased access to benefits and support 1. Renewed relationships and trust within families and communities 2. Improved mental health and social networks 3. Agreed narrative with families and agencies around the incident 4. Increased confidence and reduced isolation due to being acknowledged and supported Surveys Welfare Changes and Support reporting Other measurement tools Case Studies 1 to 1 interviews External and Internal periodic evaluations Other measurement tools Page 12 of 30

13 Chapter 6 Quality Assurance and Clinical Governance Delivery of projects funded through this call will be expected to meet Quality Assurance and Clinical Governance standards, as follows: Funded organisations will ensure that victims and survivors will be supported to achieve their personal goals, aspirations and enhance their quality of life. Emphasis will be placed on the responsibility of funded organisations to develop effective means of communicating and integrating with each other, monitoring outcomes and contributing to a more coherent and integrated approach to the provision of services to victims and survivors. Organisations must demonstrate how they will comply with the Terms and Conditions of the VSS contract, the Commission for Victims and Survivors Minimum Standards (where relevant) or any other regional or national recognised standards for service delivery. A copy of the Commission for Victims and Survivors Minimum Standards Document is publicly available on the Commissions website at the following link: Page 13 of 30

14 Chapter 7 Assessment of Applications The decision on whether your Business Plan will be funded will be made by the VSS Board. It is the role of the VSS Board to ensure that resources are allocated against identified needs in a transparent, fair and effective way. The VSS Board will also ensure that interventions are equitably targeted as per the identified needs and priorities. In doing so, the VSS Board will take account of community geographies across the eligible area, combined with proposed approaches to meet the particular needs identified within each locality. Value for money and partnership working will be will be a key factor in the decision making process. Information to support the VSS Board arriving at a decision should be clearly demonstrated within the Business Plan. The Board will not take into consideration any background knowledge of your organisation or supplementary information provided that is not requested as part of the Business Plan. Applicants should be aware that the VSS Board reserves the right to fund only specific strands or parts of proposals that best fit the priorities agreed and resources available. Under such circumstances, the VSS will engage with applicants to come to an agreed approach. 7.1 Appeals Unsuccessful applicants who wish to appeal the outcome of the assessment decision may do so. The Appeal Process is publicly available on the VSS website Flowchart Summary of Assessment Process Figure 2 below outlines the assessment process. Page 14 of 30

15 Figure 2: Assessment Process Funding Call opens 31 st July 2017 Applications received 29 th August 2017 Initial Eligibility check Eligible Applications assessed by Programmes Team Assessment Report Completed with Indicative Scores and Recommendations VSS Board Members Decision making panel Subject to Pre-contract Check Issues identified at pre-contract check. Application referred back to Board. Pre-contract check Visits with applicant organisations Letter of Offer Issued Application Rejected Letter of Rejection issued Option to ask for an appeal of the decision Appeal successful Application Approved Appeal Unsuccessful Decision to reject upheld Page 15 of 30

16 Chapter 8 Expenditure that VSS can fund through PEACE IV VSS can only fund the following items of expenditure under PEACE IV Salary Costs for Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers ONLY (Gross Salary, Employer NIC and Pension costs) Travel Subsistence (Costs of Meals) The applicant organisation is responsible for providing all other overheads and resources. Page 16 of 30

17 Chapter 9 Scoring Process Table 4 below outlines the scoring process that will be applied in the assessment of each Business Plan. Table 4: Scoring Process SECTION Marks Weighting Score Available Executive Summary 0-10 (x1) 10 SECTION 1: The Proposed Project SECTION 2: Strategic and Policy Context 0-10 (x2) (x2) 20 SECTION 3: Need and Demand 0-10 (x5) 50 SECTION 4: Budget and Financial Projections 0-10 (x3) 30 SECTION 5 Risk Analysis 0-10 (x1) 10 SECTION 6: Management Arrangements SECTION 7: Monitoring and Evaluation 0-10 (x2) (x3) 30 SECTION 8:Exit Strategy 0-10 (x1) 10 Total marks available 200 Notes to scoring: 1. Applications must score 60% or over to be considered for funding. 2. The minimum mark required for each section is also In the event that VSS scores more than one application per area above the minimum score, applications may be ranked in order of scores and only the highest scored applications may proceed to Letter of Offer. 4. VSS reserves the right to allocate more than 1 Caseworker per area, depending on the needs identified within the Business Plan submissions. Page 17 of 30

18 10: Job Description Chapter 10 Job Description This section provides the Job Description which should be used by organisations to recruit Health and Wellbeing Caseworkers. The Job Description is included for information only at this point in time. Recruitment can only take place after a Letter of Offer has been issued to the successful applicant organisation in each case. Note: The range of duties contained within the job description are not intended to be a complete description of tasks. The VSS requests that the employing organisation reflect the broad duties contained, however the employing organisation may wish to tailor the job description as they deem appropriate. The Victims and Survivors Service require the employing organisation to adhere to the Essential and Desirable Criteria contained within the indicative recruitment information. The VSS accepts no liability for the recruitment or employment of staff under the PEACE IV Programme. Page 18 of 30

19 10: Job Description JOB DESCRIPTION: HEALTH AND WELLBEING CASEWORKER Job Title: Organisation: Location: Health & Wellbeing Caseworker Subject to Open Call To be confirmed on appointment Salary: 25,871-27,271 Reports to: Service Manager (Employing Organisation) Background (Background information as per employing organisation) This post has been developed as part of the PEACE IV Programme which provides investment for cross-border health and wellbeing services by increasing the quality of care in the sector for victims and survivors and their families, and collecting information on victims and survivors needs. Purpose of the Role The Health & Wellbeing Caseworker will work directly with individual victims and survivors and their families in a pro-active and innovative way to facilitate engagement with services and activities within the statutory, community and voluntary sector in keeping with their needs. Job Description The key elements that constitute the role of Health and Wellbeing Caseworker are as follows: Co-ordination and Delivery of Health and Wellbeing Services Proactively and innovatively engage with vulnerable and marginalised individuals. Keep up to date with relevant statutory, private and voluntary sector services available to victims and survivors and their families and work to ensure pathways are seamless, responsive and mitigate against duplication of services. Page 19 of 30

20 10: Job Description Identify any barriers to victims and survivors accessing the care and support they need and work with the individual and relevant agencies to remove or mitigate any adverse effect such barriers may pose. The first point of contact for stakeholder enquiries, liaising with other agencies in a professional manner, ensuring that complex and sensitive information is communicated with empathy and reassurance and within the boundaries of Data Protection legislation. Advocate on behalf of and if necessary accompany individuals to services/appointments/activities where low confidence, low motivation and diminished trust may have left them isolated and marginalised. Facilitate the process for victims and survivors to access personalised support through the PEACE IV Resilience Programme e.g. one to one literacy tutoring or a physical activity of choice. Introduce victims and survivors and their families to shared spaces and services. Business Improvement and Quality Management Ensure adequate and appropriate record keeping and that relevant databases are updated on a regular basis. Record, monitor and evaluate client progress according to measurable goals described in their individual support plan. Ensure that all support plans, records and associated processes are maintained to the standard required for auditing and monitoring and evaluation by VSS. Manage the security/processing of sensitive and confidential client information in keeping with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. Report any risks, issues and/or concerns to (employing organisation). Actively encourage participation of victims and survivors and their families in reviewing and modernising current services and in service development. Page 20 of 30

21 10: Job Description Promote a culture of continuous service improvement through the appropriate sharing of constructive feedback and work with relevant statutory, private and voluntary sector organisations to implement improvements. Personal Development, Performance and Professionalism Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public by maintaining high standards of personal accountability and ethical practice. Facilitate liaison with professional and senior management within stakeholder organisations. The foregoing is a broad range of duties and is not intended to be a complete description of all tasks. It is important to note that the responsibilities may change to meet the evolving needs of the Victims and Survivors Service. Role Competencies Essential Criteria: By the closing date for applications, candidates must: 1. Possess a University Degree, Professional Qualification or equivalent qualification in a relevant area. OR OR AND Possess 5 GCSE s grades A C, including English language AND have 2 years voluntary/paid experience equivalent to 16 hours per week in a community/voluntary/statutory environment working with individuals with mental health and/or physical health issues. NVQ Level 3 or equivalent AND have 1 year s voluntary/paid experience equivalent to 16 hours per week in a community/voluntary/ statutory environment working with individuals with mental health and/or physical health issues. Page 21 of 30

22 10: Job Description 2. Demonstrate experience of effectively engaging with and building positive relationships with clients in situations where they have been vulnerable. 3. Demonstrate experience of liaising with a broad range of service providers. 4. Demonstrate experience of providing progress reports and management information in clear and agreed formats, in line with a reporting schedule. 5. Demonstrate experience of successfully prioritising and managing your own workload while also communicating effectively with colleagues and management. Desirable Criteria: 1. Demonstrate experience of at least 1 year working with or in the interests of victims and survivors of the Conflict/Troubles. 2. Demonstrate experience of using or contributing to outcomes focussed monitoring and evaluation processes. Page 22 of 30

23 PART A: ELIGIBILITY SIFT PART A: ELIGIBILITY SIFT This document is included in this pack (if received by post) or PART A can be downloaded from the VSS website: Please complete and return along with your Business Plan and ANNEXES. Note that this information is mandatory. If this information is not included, an assessment of your Business Plan will not take place and your application will automatically be unsuccessful. Page 23 of 30

24 PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE THIS SECTION PROVIDES THE OUTLINE OF THE BUSINESS PLAN THAT YOU SHOULD SUBMIT TO VSS. PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR BUSINESS PLAN AS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT THE BUSINESS PLAN SHOULD BE STRUCTURED PER TABLE B1 BELOW Please ensure that you include all of the above in your document. Take care to provide the information requested within the stated word limits. In addition, you are required to complete and submit a number of ANNEXES. Please ensure to refer to Table B1 below and complete each of the ANNEXES 1-3. These should be submitted with your business plan. Table B1 Business Plan Summary SECTION Word Count ANNEX Executive Summary 750 SECTION 1: The Proposed Project SECTION 2: Strategic and Policy Context 1, SECTION 3: Need and Demand 1,500 SECTION 4: Budget and Financial Projections SECTION 5 Risk Analysis 1,000 SECTION 6: Management Arrangements SECTION 7: Monitoring and Evaluation SECTION 8:Exit Strategy 500 n/a ANNEX 1 2,000 ANNEX 2 1,000 ANNEX 3 Please ensure that you state the word count after each section within your Business Plan document. Page 24 of 30

25 PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Maximum: 750 words The executive summary is a synopsis of the Business Plan. It should include a summary paragraph on each section of the Business Plan. SECTION 1: The Proposed Project Maximum: 1,500 words This section should include: About your organisation This should include the vision, mission and objectives of your organisation. Explain what your project aims to achieve. The objectives of your project should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-dependent (SMART) targets. In this section you must outline the values of your organisation and demonstrate that the proposed activities of your project will be delivered through a victim centred approach. Partnership and Collaboration Identify the main partners and what they will deliver. What are their roles and responsibilities? What partnership arrangements are in place? We will ask for more detail on this in SECTION 6. Please note that partnership and co-operation with other organisations is actively sought as part of the PEACE IV Programme. Please describe how the proposed project will apply the principles of joint development, implementation and (if applicable) financing or staffing. Cross border and cross community co-operation are particularly sought within the PEACE IV Programme. For cross-community and cross border projects, please describe the benefits and advantages of this approach and its objectives. Summary of outcomes and outputs You must clearly demonstrate the impact of this funding in terms of: Outcomes: What specific outcomes your project will achieve. Please refer to the Outcomes Framework in Chapter 5 Page 25 of 30

26 PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE Outputs: What are the outputs of the planned activities? (E.g. number of individuals receiving specified interventions). We will ask for more detail on this in SECTION 6 and ANNEX 2 Delivery Plan. You should identify any important constraints upon the project and these should be explained. These could be technical, legal, political or financial in nature or may have to do with the location of your project. We will ask for more detail on this in SECTION 5 - Risk Management. SECTION 2: Strategic and Policy Context Maximum: 750 words This section should demonstrate how, and to what extent, the proposed project contributes to key local, regional and national policies. For example: What local, regional or national strategies/priorities does the project address? How does the proposed project fit with other local, regional or national project initiatives? Please describe any connections or linkages with other initiatives. Use this section to demonstrate that your proposed project will not result in substantial duplication or displacement of existing provision. VSS needs to ensure that the PEACE IV Programme is the most appropriate source of funding for your project. SECTION 3: Need and Demand Maximum: 1,500 words Use this section to describe and quantify the specific need for your project. Approval for PEACE IV Programme was based on an established need and demand for these services to improve the health and wellbeing of victims and survivors. Your Business Plan therefore needs to focus on highlighting the need and demand for the specific outcomes and outputs you are proposing. You should provide evidence that your project is actively needed by victims and survivors and that its scale is appropriate to the likely demand for its services. This is an essential component of your Business Plan and will establish the rationale for funding. It will also provide assurance that your project is deliverable and will meet its objectives. Page 26 of 30

27 PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE You should consider the following points: The specific needs of victims and survivors that the project seeks to address. The evidence that victims and survivors want the type of activities you propose to offer e.g. have you undertaken consultation or research? Whether the project is building upon previous projects and experience. Whether there is complementary or competing provision. Describe how your project complements or adds value to similar ongoing or proposed work within the region and beyond. It is important to note that there is almost always some form of competition to new services so please consider this issue fully. VSS will form a view on potential duplication or displacement which could occur as a result of project funding. What is unique or different about what you propose to offer compared to other organisations within your region? Whether you have considered how you could co-ordinate and share information with other organisations in receipt of PEACE IV funding. SECTION 4: Budget and Financial Projections Note: No word count VSS is obliged to offer the minimum amount of financial assistance necessary to enable a project to proceed and deliver its proposed outcomes. VSS therefore needs to understand the expenditure of your project, any revenue projections during its lifetime (both during and post funding) and the cash flow requirements which may be needed before and during delivery. A full and detailed breakdown and rationale for each budget line for which you have requested funding should be clearly outlined in this section. All assumptions and calculations should be noted. You should then complete the Financial Information Tables included in ANNEX 1 as appropriate to your application. Only the following costs are eligible to apply for: Staff costs Travel and Subsistence Costs Page 27 of 30

28 PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE Expenditure outside the eligible area. Should your project contain any expenditure outside the eligible area, you must provide a clear and robust rationale that includes value for money considerations. SECTION 5: RISK Analysis (Risks, Uncertainty and Constraints) Maximum: 1,000 words Please outline the risks associated with your project and how you and any project partners will address these. The risks could be in areas including: Organisational Political Financial Social Management Timing Geographic Explain how you will manage or mitigate against any risks you identify. SECTION 6: Management Arrangements (Project Delivery, Resourcing and Governance) Maximum: 2,000 words (Not including ANNEX 2) 6.1 Delivery Plan You should be aware that projects will be funded and reimbursed based on delivery of outputs and proposed outcomes and therefore it is critical that you have a robust, credible and realistic delivery plan. Please complete the Delivery Plan at ANNEX 2 to highlight the specific project element/elements of your proposal, along with key details of actions required to implement the project elements e.g. recruitment, how activities will be accessed, the specific activities and the expected outputs. Ensure to outline your project schedule (i.e. timeline) against the key project elements and activities. You may consider using a Gantt chart or similar project management tool. Page 28 of 30

29 PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE 6.2 Governance In this section you should: Detail the project management structure and governance arrangements for the delivery of your proposed project. Provide a description of the structure, aims and activities of your organisation and its legal status. Tell us how long the organisation has been in existence. Provide us with the names and a description of any other organisation or organisations with whom you propose to form a partnership for the delivery of your project including their structure, aims and objectives and legal status and detail how these fit within your management structure. Clarify whether any aspect of the project will be delivered outside of the eligible area. Outline the combined experience, ability and expertise of the partners you have identified and how the relationship will add value to the services being delivered to victims and survivors. Provide evidence that quality management arrangements are in place regarding timelines, organisation, tasks and responsibilities. These must be well defined and realistic. 6.3 Staffing In this section you should: Explain who will deliver the individual project elements and how this will be managed e.g. what staff will be required, whether external services will be procured, whether volunteers will be utilised etc. For all posts please provide Job and proposed salary grades (refer to Chapter 10). Outline how staff will be managed, including performance. Detail accommodation needs, etc. for the project and how these will be sought. Page 29 of 30

30 PART B: BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE SECTION 7: Monitoring and Evaluation Plan Maximum: 1,000 words (to be included within ANNEX 3) Monitoring and evaluating the outcomes and outputs of your proposed project is critical during its lifespan. For this section, Please complete ANNEX 3 to outline outcomes, indicators and measurement methods/tools, and provide detail on how baseline information is agreed, collected and evaluated for every element of your project. SECTION 8: Exit Strategy Maximum: 500 words The finance available under the PEACE IV Programme may not offer long term financial support for initiatives or organisations. It is therefore critical that you have identified potential exit strategies at the end of the funding award. This may take into account other sources of finance or the closure of the project and legacy that it leaves behind. It should be noted that all projects develop a degree of expectation and engagement with their beneficiaries and these expectations need to be managed at project completion. Please ensure you have considered the following in this section: The long-lasting impact on victims and survivors beyond the duration of the project and the strategy proposed to secure this (e.g. mainstreaming, sustaining the project in other ways, lasting effect of outcomes) Management of the expectations of individuals availing of your project in the case of scaling back or ending the project Page 30 of 30