The social worker as facilitator in inclusive education

[摘要] The study emanates from the social worker's intervention as facilitator for learnerswith disabilities in inclusive education. The aim of the study was to explore andexplain the role of the social worker as facilitator in inclusive education. Whenlearners with disabilities are placed in mainstream schools, there should be somemeans whereby the mainstream school system provides specialised support for theirneeds.An exploratory research design together with a qualitative research approach waschosen in order to obtain knowledge, insight and understanding regarding the role ofthe social worker as facilitator for learners with disabilities in inclusive education. Aliterature review was conducted to obtain a perspective of research done in this field.Much research has been documented regarding inclusive education. However noresearch has been done regarding the role of the social worker as facilitator forlearners with disabilities in inclusive education. The empirical investigation consistedof case studies of two boys during middle childhood that were included in inclusiveschools with the help of a facilitator.The findings of the investigation were in line with what was found in the literaturestudy, namely that learners with disabilities can function successfully in inclusiveschools with the help of a facilitator. Throughout the discussion it seemed clear thatthe social worker does not need new skills to be able to facilitate learners withdisabilities in inclusive schools. The social worker can draw on already existing skillsas discussed in the study.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University