A programme of support for care assistants of children admitted with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy affects children’s movement and posture because of damage to the brain’s development. Care assistants in healthcare facilities provide care to children. Caring for the children is overwhelming, hence support is required. Such support is absent, causing frustration among care assistants, which leads to poor quality care for children.

Objectives: To explore and describe the experiences of care assistants of children admitted with cerebral palsy in healthcare facilities of the Gauteng province, and to develop a support programme for care assistants.

Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design was used. Participants were selected from healthcare facilities in Gauteng province. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Content data analysis was used to analyse data. The results were used to develop a support programme for care assistants.

Results: Three themes emerged, namely, a lack of training opportunities, a lack of resources, and a lack of support. The results were used to develop a support programme, using the three steps of the Donabedian model for care: structure, process and outcome.

Conclusion: Care assistants are not given training opportunities, work with limited resources and are not supported, hence the development of a support programme. If effectively utilised, the programme can lead to staff satisfaction and improvement of quality care for children.

Contribution: The study enabled managers in healthcare facilities to see the need for policy and the need for support strategies for care assistants. A support programme was further developed.