Parents whose children with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour attend 52-week residential schools: their perceptions of services received and expectations of the future

This paper reports the findings of a survey of parents whose children attended 52-week residential schools. Seventy-three parents completed a postal questionnaire which asked questions about three main areas: support and services received prior to their child’s entry into residential education; perceptions of the quality of care and education provided by residential schools; and concerns for their child’s future care and welfare. Telephone interviews were conducted with 14 parents, to obtain additional information on the topics addressed by the questionnaire. Parents were critical of services and support received prior to their child’s entry into residential education and reported high rates of exclusion from local services. Residential schools were generally perceived as providing a good quality of service, though considerable concern was expressed about their geographical distance from the family home, and this had a significant impact on the frequency of visits. Parents expressed high levels of concern about the future care and support needs of their children. Further research is required to understand the relationship between the availability and quality of local services and the need for 52-week residential schools. The impact of distant residential education on parent–child relationships and on future demand for residential care is considered.