Palliative Care

Palliative care for children

At Newlife, we know it can feel difficult to think about or talk about palliative care. We have put together this page to help families understand what it means, answer some common questions, and guide you to support when it is needed.

With the right care, support, and people around you, families can feel stronger together. Palliative care is about helping children and families live as well as possible, with comfort, support, and opportunities to share moments of joy.

What is palliative care?

Children’s palliative care helps children with serious health conditions live as well and as comfortably as possible.

It focuses on quality of life, making sure children can enjoy time with their family, take part in activities they like, and experience moments that matter.

It supports the whole family. It can help families:

• Find emotional and practical support
• Understand what is happening
• Think about choices for care
• Decide where care should take place

Care that is right for your child

Palliative care can help with more than physical health. It may also include:

• Emotional support
• Social support (family, friends, and activities)
• Spiritual or cultural needs

Every child is different. Their care should be based on what is right for them at that time.

Palliative care supports children to enjoy being children — whether that is playing, relaxing, learning, or spending time with the people they love. It is about creating meaningful and joyful moments where possible.

When does palliative care start?

Palliative care does not always mean the end of life.

It can begin when a child is diagnosed with a life-shortening condition, or when a condition cannot be cured.

Starting early can give families:

• Time to ask questions
• Space to think about what matters most
• Support to make choices that feel right for their child

It also helps to build relationships with the people supporting you, so you feel supported along the way.

Who may be involved in care?

Many different professionals may help care for your child. Families often have several people involved, and it is important that everyone works together to provide the best possible support.

Often, one person will take the lead, such as a doctor or specialist nurse.

The team may include:

• Doctors (such as paediatricians and GPs)
• Nurses (including palliative care, hospice, and community nurses)
• Therapists (such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech and language therapists)
• Health visitors and nursery or Portage workers
• Pharmacists and dieticians
• Social workers, counsellors, and support workers
• Hospital and ward staff

Working together in this way helps make sure care is joined up and centred around the child and family.

Children’s hospices

Children’s hospices are welcoming places that provide specialist care for children with serious conditions and support for the whole family.

They can offer:

• Short breaks (respite care)
• Help with managing symptoms
• End of life care
• Support for families, including after a child has died

Hospices are often designed to feel warm and homely. Many have:

• Play and games rooms
• Cinema rooms
• Libraries
• Spaces for families to stay together

They focus on helping children enjoy activities, spend time with loved ones, and create special memories together.

Some hospices also offer care at home.

Families can speak to their care team or contact a local hospice to find out more about what is available.

Useful links and support

• Hospice UK – Hospice care for children and young people 
• Together for short lives  
  
• NHS Palliative and end of life care