Schools in Circles as a Form of Support for Families of Students with Intellectual Disabilities in the Community – Reflections of Teachers and Therapists

Introduction: Schools in Circles is a proposal for informal support activities carried out in the family and school environment, involving students with intellectual disabilities and their families in the local community. It is based on the Circle of Support Model implemented in Poland since 2015 and the Canadian program “F-Words for Child Development” by the CanChild. Research Aim: The aim of the study was to explore how teachers and therapists of individuals with intellectual disabilities evaluate the actions of Schools in Circles and what experiences, concerns, and methods they have for optimizing activities related to its development. Method: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to examine the opinions and experiences of the participants. A focus interview was conducted with nine people actively participating in the School in the Circles in various institutions from northern and southern Poland. Results: The analysis allowed for the identification of four main themes: 1) the path to Schools in Circles – teachers’ and therapists’ own experiences in promoting and creating Circles of Support, 2) benefits of implementing the project for the student, family, school, and community, 3) concerns and threats to the project (issues with engagement from some staff and families, organizational problems), 4) methods for improving activities within Circles of Support. Conclusions: The participants recognize the significant potential and value of activities aimed at building and supporting social relationships in the immediate environment of children with intellectual disabilities, with the goal of creating a safe and friendly future. The results can be utilized by professionals working in educational institutions to improve collaboration with families of students with intellectual disabilities and to further develop the concept of Circles of Support during the school education stage.