The experiences of university students who have siblings with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): expectations, responsibilities and pressures

Broomhead, KE ORCID: 0000-0002-1977-0246 and Smith, MD (2026) The experiences of university students who have siblings with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): expectations, responsibilities and pressures. International Journal of Inclusive Education. ISSN 1360-3116

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Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of university students who have siblings with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), examining how caregiving roles shaped their transition to higher education and wider experiences of university life. Framed within a social constructivist methodology, the study employed semi-structured interviews to elicit participants’ narratives. Findings revealed how students faced difficult choices about whether to move away or live at home, with many decisions driven by a sense of emotional obligation. Those who stayed at home cited the need to maintain their sibling’s routines and provide care, often at the expense of quiet study time and personal wellbeing. Students who moved away experienced guilt and conflict with parents, though many described the distance as beneficial for both themselves and their siblings. Across both groups, participants continued to provide emotional support from a distance, illustrating the continuity of caregiving responsibilities. Findings highlight the need for universities to recognise and support students with sibling caregiving roles through flexible policies, empathetic staff practices and targeted awareness initiatives promoting inclusive engagement.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sibling carers; student experience; university; transition; caregiving; 39 Education; 3904 Specialist Studies In Education; Caregiving Research; Behavioral and Social Science; Clinical Research; 7.1 Individual care needs; 4 Quality Education; 1303 Specialist Studies in Education; 1608 Sociology; Education; 3902 Education policy, sociology and philosophy; 3904 Specialist studies in education
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education L Education > LC Special aspects of education
Divisions:	Education
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Date of acceptance:	11 September 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	19 October 2026
Date Deposited:	19 Oct 2026 14:51
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2026 14:51
DOI or ID number:	10.1080/13603116.2026.2734949
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29707

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