Introduction: Parents and teachers lack knowledge and self-efficacy when providing postural care to physically disabled children. This can act as a barrier to the successful implementation of therapy. An intervention was developed to improve knowledge and confidence in providing postural care. The aim is to determine whether this intervention improves parents’ and teachers’ knowledge and confidence.
Participants and Methods: The intervention includes a 2-hour interactive workshop and follow-up home/school visits delivered in three localities across the south-east of England. The UKC-PostCarD scale, which assesses levels of knowledge and confidence in providing postural care, was used to evaluate the intervention. It is completed at baseline and after the intervention is completed. Focus groups with participants will provide insight into elements that were effective/ineffective.Interviews with children will provide their perspective. Interviews with therapists will consider the feasibility and acceptability of delivery.
Results: A mixed-design ANOVA 2 (Time: before vs. after) 9 3 (Area:Kent, Sussex, Surrey) will be used to determine whether knowledge and confidence improved following the intervention. Framework analysis will be used for the focus group and interview data. Qualitative findings will be fed into the overall evaluation. Results will be available by September 2013.
Conclusion: If shown to improve confidence and knowledge, we will make this education programme available nationally
