Professional perspectives on facilitators and barriers for high quality provision of health, education and social care services to disabled children in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

Author:

Merrick HannahORCID,Driver Helen,Main Chloe,Potts Lily,Russell Siân,Exley Catherine,Allard Amanda,Morris ChristopherORCID,Parr Jeremy R,Pennington LindsayORCID

Abstract

ObjectivesTo understand how health, education and social care services for disabled children changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, what did or did not work well and what the impacts of service changes were on both professionals and families.DesignQualitative study using semistructured interviews.SettingTelephone and video call interviews and focus groups with professionals working in one of five local authority areas in England.Participants78 health, education and social care professionals working with children in one of five local authority areas in England.ResultsThere was a significant disruption to services and reduced contact with families during the early stages of the pandemic; nevertheless, professionals were able to reflect on innovative ways they interacted with and sought to support and maintain health, education and social care provision to disabled children and their families. As waitlists have substantially increased, this and the longevity of the pandemic were perceived to have had negative consequences for staff health and well-being, the health and psychosocial outcomes of children and young people, and their parent carers.ConclusionsKey learning from this study for service recovery and planning for future emergencies is the need to be able to identify disabled children, classify their level of need and risk, assess the impact of loss of services and maintain clear communication across services to meet the needs of disabled children. Finally, services need to work collaboratively with families to develop child-centred care to strengthen resilience during service disruption.

Funder

Policy Research Programme, NIHR

Publisher

BMJ

Reference44 articles.

1. The Stationery Office . Coronavirus Act 2020. London. 2020.

2. Department for Education . Children of critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings, 2022. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

3. Wheatley H . Pathways to success: good practice guide for children’s services in the development of services for disabled children: evidence from the pathfinder children’s trusts. London, 2006.

4. Moss G , Bradbury A , Duncan S , et al . Responding to COVID-19, Briefing Note 3: Resetting educational priorities in challenging times. 2020.

5. Impacts of health care service changes implemented due toCOVID‐19 on children and young people with long‐term disability: A mapping review;Merrick;Develop Med Child Neuro,2023

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3