Children’s Hospice Services
Children’s hospice services help children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions who are not expected to reach adulthood, and their families, to deal with the emotional and physical challenges they face and to make the most of life. This care can be provided throughout the course of a child or young person’s life.
Children’s hospice services aim to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of children, young people and their families. Care is provided by a multi-disciplinary team of specialist staff, all working closely together to ensure seamless support to the entire family (including siblings and grandparents).
Children’s hospices provide a wide range of support, including:
- 24 hour telephone support
- practical help, advice and information
- specialist short break care
- specialist therapies, including physiotherapy, complementary therapies, play and music therapy
- 24 hour end of life care
- care for a child’s body after death
- bereavement support
- information, support and training for parent carers
Children’s hospice services can deliver this care in a child and family-friendly purpose built building and/or in the family’s own home (commonly termed ‘hospice at home’).
To find your nearest service, please head over to our service directory or download this factsheet to view our map of UK children’s hospices. You can find further information in the Get Support section of our website, or you can call our helpline on 0808 8088 100.