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Abstract

Physical deformities and mental and educational impairments, such as autism and Down's syndrome, are common conditions found in children. Special schools for children with special needs are established in all United Nations member nations. Caregivers/teachers in these schools have the responsibility of providing care and imparting knowledge and skills to these children. These schools also offer specific services to support the work of the caregivers/teachers. This article explored the support services for caregivers/teachers in schools for children with special needs. The study utilised a qualitative design, descriptive method with a voice recorder, paper and pen to elicit 29 participants` opinion (upon data saturation) from four (4) special needs schools. Researcher employed a purposive sampling technique owing to researcher`s previous knowledge of caregivers/teachers within a period of one month. A 6-step thematic analysis framework was employed, data was transcribed, cleaned and examined line -by-line and for consistency, Nvivo (version 8.0) was adopted to analyse data in accordance with the objectives. Two themes emerged (Government Support services and Non-government Organization (NGO) support services) and (8) sub-themes, namely- Monetary support and recompense, Conveyance; Vocational or Technical Education and Acquisition; Free Health Services; Free Education, Mid-day meals support service; Health care support services and Specific Support Services. The study concluded and recommended that, governmental and non-governmental agencies should redouble-their effort towards providing support services (periodic training, sustainable financial support, free transportation) for the teachers/caregivers and provide regular mid-day, free healthcare service and adequate vocational training according to each child`s needs adequately.

Keywords

schools for children with special needs Government and NGO support Services Caregiver/teachers

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Wankasi, H. I., & Gbobo, T. A. J. (2024). Support Services for Caregivers/Teachers of Children in Special Needs School in Bayelsa and Rivers States, Nigeria: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Public Health and Toxicological Research, 2(2), 103 – 112. https://doi.org/10.60787/jphtr.vol2no2.39
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