Energy poverty in children’s palliative care 

Recognising the signs of energy poverty

Families caring for a seriously ill child face more than medical challenges. For many, soaring energy bills and rising living costs create a hidden crisis, energy poverty, that puts their child’s comfort, safety, and health at risk.

This short podcast has been created to help professionals working with seriously ill children spot the signs of energy poverty and know how to respond if a family is struggling.

Tip: Listen now or on the go. ‘Like’ the podcast in SoundCloud to automatically save it to your library for later.

Why this matters

Children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions can be more vulnerable to cold, damp homes and cuts in the power supply. Many rely on medical equipment that increases household energy use. For these families, energy poverty isn’t just uncomfortable, it can threaten health and wellbeing.

Your role as a professional

You are often the first to notice when a family is struggling. Recognising the signs, such as a cold home, signs of condensation or mould, discussions about cutting back on heating, or reluctance to use energy-intensive medical equipment, can make all the difference.

These Together We Learn resources give you:

• Clear warning signs to look for in your daily work
• Simple, practical tips you can share to help reduce costs and improve energy efficiency
• Encouraging awareness of using carbon monoxide alarms
• Understanding and registering for the Priority Services Register
• Signposting to expert help from an energy advisor