What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children who are supported by an LSE in primary government schools?

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative research was to investigate the various effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with disabilities who have an LSE and attend primary government schools. To explain why these children experienced the COVID-19 pandemic in the way they did, the study was based on the understanding of disability found in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006). The study was carried out by conducting semi-structured interviews with six parents of children who have a disability, who were asked questions about their real-life experiences throughout and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was used to examine the data collected from the semi structured interviews. Following the completion of the analysis, various themes were confirmed, which were compared and contrasted with international studies mentioned in the literature review. The various impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic identified were largely associated with children's education, mental health, social lives, discontinuity of services, and general inclusion. An element of parent advocacy was also articulated. The research then delved deeper into the implications and potential applications of the findings in the field of social policy.