Investigating the role of Personal Assistants (PA’s) for students with disabilities: Stories and experiences of PAs in a Further Education (FE) Institute in Ireland

Wall, Jessica (2022) Investigating the role of Personal Assistants (PA’s) for students with disabilities: Stories and experiences of PAs in a Further Education (FE) Institute in Ireland. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

There is an increase of students with disabilities attending Further Education (FE) in Ireland and therefore, an increase in the demand for support. Personal Assistants (PAs) are employed in an Irish FE college to provide support to students with disabilities. Many studies focus on students with disabilities in higher (HE) and further education, but very few of these studies look at those people that make this possible There is a gap in research and particularly concerning PAs where little research was found. This study addresses this gap and aims to provide insights into PA’s roles, responsibilities, and experiences. Six PAs in an Irish FE college shared their stories and experiences of being a PA in Ireland, narrative inquiry allowed for stories to be obtained using semi-structured narrative interviews. Thematic analysis was used as a tool to analyse and inquire into the data. Four themes which provide insights into the role and experiences of PA were chosen in line with the research question and sub-questions. The findings suggest that PAs are uncertain of their role. PAs identified some discrepancies with their job description leading to a sense of role confusion. PAs highlight their sense of being left behind with regards to pay and conditions leading to the idea of a PA role as a stepping stone and not a long -term position. PAs share their experiences about the joys of the role and the more challenging aspects of the role. There is no data on PAs in Ireland, therefore, I am conducting research in a new area. This study contributes to wider research by attempting to bridge the gap and give a voice to Irish PAs who have never, until now, shared their stories.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	L Education > LC Special aspects / Types of education > LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education L Education > LC Special aspects / Types of education > Education for the Learning Disabled D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > Ireland
Divisions:	Centre for Education and Lifelong Learning > Master of Arts in Educational Practice
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	03 Oct 2022 11:26
Last Modified:	03 Oct 2022 11:26
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5799

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