P229 Children and young people with cystic fibrosis enhanced multidisciplinary pathways to address their educational needs during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Our paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) team's pathway to address the educational needs of children with CF was based on a systems approach that benefited from coordinated, holistic, personalised foci adapting multidisciplinary and inter-agency working (BASW'20). Issues arising in the UK from shielding during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the unequal effect of lockdown on children's learning (Lancet'21). In addition, arrangements for supporting pupils at school and ensuring good education provision for children with long-term medical needs (DoE'13,’15,’20) necessitated piloting and reviewing our Enhanced Education Pathway through the pandemic. Methods: Six children with CF who were considered clinically, educationally, emotionally and socially most vulnerable were reviewed via patient notes, psychosocial meetings, multidisciplinary and multi-agency meetings along with the child, parent and schools. A qualitative thematic synthesis of this pilot cohort examined the potential impact of disruptive access to education to educational outcomes. This informed the development of the CF enhanced education pathways. Results-thematic synthesis: Recurring emergent themes identified as potentially impacting educational outcomes included: facilitating decisionmaking;access to quality teaching and technology, parental literacy and capacity to monitor and support learning;robustness of trusting relationship;and advocacy for enhanced education provision. Conclusion: This pilot helped to support equal and fair access to education for our children with CF by prioritising access to blended learning, teaching, access to technology and addressing parenting challenges. The collaborative working with children, their families, CF clinical and psychosocial teams, along with Hospital Education team and schools, have highlighted the added value of multidisciplinary and inter-agency working to further develop enhanced education pathways.