EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. Introduction
In4kids is the HRB Irish Network for Children’s Clinical Trials, supporting researchers in Ireland to develop and deliver a portfolio of high-quality clinical trials that will benefit children’s health. Clinical trials in children are more challenging than those in adults and the pool of eligible children for trials is often small, making collaboration crucial. Children must have at least the same rights as adults regarding access to high quality and evidence-based medications, interventions, and health care services.
In4kids is also the Irish National Hub on the c4c-S (conect4children-stichting), an innovative panEuropean paediatric clinical trial network of high-quality, trial-ready sites, and multidisciplinary experts.
In4kids is building on existing national and EU investment and works closely with the Clinical Research Facility infrastructure, Children’s Health Ireland, the HRB Trial Methodology Research Network (TMRN) and the national Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) network to build a sustainable clinical trial network to support a portfolio of research for children. The network is integrating a strong education and training programme, a young person’s advisory group providing a voice for children and a robust public engagement platform.
The Network is led by Professor Geraldine Boylan and co-lead, Professor Eleanor Molloy and an executive team of Principal investigators, supported by a dynamic operations team which includes a Network Manager and Public and Patient Involvement Officer.
In4kids Vision: Transforming child health in Ireland through innovative research and clinical trials.
In4kids Mission: To deliver high quality clinical trials for children in multiple sites across Ireland through a collaborative national network.
The main strategic objectives of In4kids are:
- To increase the quantity and quality of paediatric clinical trials in Ireland by focusing on areas of national and global importance in child health. In4kidsisideally placed to achieve this goal by acting as the primary contact point for all enquiries, national and international, considering its strategic alliance with the pan-European c4c-S.
- To maintain and strengthen existing collaborations in paediatric clinical trials nationally and internationally and increase the scale, quality, and integrity of research assets. To build on existing relationships with established networks like PEDCRIN EnprEMA, ECRIN and c4c-S.
- To establish best-practice in Public & Patient Involvement. We are involving Children and Young Patients (CYP) through the forum of a Young Person’s Advisory Group (YPAG) and aligning with the European Young Persons Advisory Group Network.
- To grow a dynamic and sustainably resourced and funded national network with international reach and impact
2. In4kids EMC
EMC is responsible for the operation of the network, meeting the deliverables and milestones of the projects and scientific and financial reporting. EMC will provide oversight to the network managed by the Operations Committee.
3. Term
This Terms of Reference is effective from September 2023 and will will be reviewed every two years with input and approval from the committee.
4. Membership
The EMC will comprise of:
- Geraldine Boylan, In4kids Lead
- Eleanor Molloy, In4kids co-lead
- Imelda Coyne, In4kids co-applicant
- Manda Daly, In4kids co-applicant & PPI representative
- Eugene Dempsey, In4kids co-applicant
- Declan Devane, In4kids co-applicant
- Prof Jonathan Hourihane, In4kids co-applicant
- Prof Paul McNally, In4kids co-applicant
- Prof Deirdre Murray, In4kids co-applicant
- Prof Colm O’Donnell, In4kids co-applicant
- Prof Mark Turner, In4kids co-applicant
- Teresa Berkery, Network Manager
5. Responsibilities
EMC will develop and make all decisions relating to the strategy of the network. EMC will oversee the management the work package (WP) activities described in Business Plan of the network. Each member of the EMC will be responsible for one or more activities or element of strategy and will be supported by collaborators of the In4kids network. EMC sets policy for trial operations, including adoption. EMC will review the allocation of network resources quarterly.
Members of the EMC will commit to:
- attending all scheduled EMC meetings
- wholeheartedly championing the network within and outside of work areas
- sharing all communications and information across all Network/Advisory Group members
- making timely decisions to efficiently advance the project
- notifying members of the EMC, as soon as practical, if any matter arises which may be deemed to affect the development of the Network
Members of the EMC will expect:
- that each member will be provided with complete, accurate and meaningful information in a timely manner
- to be given reasonable time to make key decisions
- to be alerted to potential risks and issues that could impact the project, as they arise
- open and honest discussions, without resort to any misleading assertions
- ongoing ‘health checks’ to verify the overall status and ‘health’ of the network.
WP1 – Governance & Network Management
Led by: Geraldine Boylan
Supported by: Eleanor Molloy & Owen Smith
WP2 – Trial Coordination & Oversight
Led by: Geraldine Boylan
Supported by: Jonathan Hourihane, Colm O’Donnell, Damien Kenny & Declan O’Rourke
WP3 – Public & Patient Involvement
Led by: Eleanor Molloy
Supported by: Imelda Coyne, Mandy Daly, Barry Linnane, Alan Irvine
WP4 – Education & Training
Led by: Eleanor Molloy
Supported by: Gene Dempsey & Declan Devane, Ellen Crushell, John Murphy
WP5 – Business Development and Sustainability
Led by: Geraldine Boylan
Supported by: Paul McNally, Mark Turner, Joe Eustace & Martina Hennessy
WP6 – Communication & Dissemination
Led by: Eleanor Molloy
Supported by: Deirdre Murray & Louise Gallagher, Barry Linnane & Mandy Daly
6. Meetings
All meetings will be chaired by the in4kids Lead partner.
Decisions will be made by consensus (i.e. members are satisfied with the decision even though it may not be their first choice) provided a minimum of 5 members were present for the discussion.
Voting rights are restricted to Network Leads & Co-applicants.
Meeting agendas and minutes will be provided by the In4kids Network manager.
Meetings will be held biannually for 1 hour using Teams. If required, subgroup meetings will be arranged outside of these times at a time convenient to subgroup members
7. Amendment, Modification or Variation
This Terms of Reference may be amended, varied, or modified in writing after consultation and agreement by In4kids EMC members.
Updated September 2024