Exploratory Study on Care Support Policy in Seoul and Role of Local Government in the Pandemic Era Using Delphi Method

Abstract

The aim of this study was to seek policy tasks and future improvement measures to support care services, focusing on children with disabilities in Seoul during the pandemic era. As a research method, cases of domestic and foreign care support for children with disabilities in the pandemic era and previous studies were considered. Three Delphi surveys with 20 expert panels were also conducted to analyze the demand for care service policies for children with disabilities in Seoul, the impact on service recipients and providers, and the importance and urgency of the final detailed implementation tasks. As a result of the study, it was found that responding to social death was the most urgent issue for families raising children with disabilities in the pandemic era. Based on this result, this study has the following implications. First, it is necessary to expand the support services target, such as resolving blind spots among care systems for children with disabilities. Second, it is necessary to diversify the types and contents of care services. Third, in the case of care services for children with disabilities, service participation must be through a group activity program. Additionally, support for families responsible for the growth and development of children with disabilities should be provided comprehensively.