Purpose: The Children’s Rehabilitation Unit (CRU) in Zimbabwe provides rehabilitation services for children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy (CP), through hospital-based care at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and community outreach. However, caregiver adherence to therapy appointments remains low. This study explored caregivers’ experiences and perceptions of CRU rehabilitation programmes and identified barriers and facilitators to adherence. Materials and Methods: An exploratory qualitative design was used. Data were collected through telephone interviews with 10 caregivers of children with CP and online in-depth interviews with three key informants. Selected medical-record data were reviewed to describe participant characteristics and service use. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Caregivers perceived therapy as beneficial, reporting improved motor function, greater child independence and increased caregiver understanding of CP. Barriers to adherence included transport and financial constraints, stigma and discrimination, limited family support, negative health worker attitudes, time pressures and difficulty accepting the child’s condition. Key informants largely confirmed these barriers and highlighted gaps in defaulter tracking, staffing and counselling support. Conclusions: In this small urban sample, CRU rehabilitation programmes were valued by caregivers but require service-delivery improvements, stronger caregiver-focused support and more responsive provider practices. Addressing social, financial and health-system barriers may improve adherence to rehabilitation therapy for children with CP in Zimbabwe.
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