Paediatrics & Family Support:
Resources and support for professionals caring for children, young people & their families through complex or serious illness.
Supporting the child and the family:
Caring for a child or young person with a complex or serious condition involves much more than managing their medical needs. Families may be balancing treatment, appointments, uncertainty, siblings, work, practical pressures and the emotional impact of caring for an unwell child.
The Caring Conversations Project is shaped in part by experience working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Paediatric Palliative Care, supporting children, young people and their families across complex care, serious illness and changing needs.
That experience continues to inform the Project’s focus on clear communication, family-centred care and meaningful collaboration - keeping the needs, priorities and experience of the family visible alongside the care of the child.
Paediatric Palliative Care:
Paediatric Palliative Care can be introduced much earlier than the final stage of life and may sit alongside active treatment for months or years.
It can help with symptom management, communication, decision-making, care coordination, planning ahead and supporting the wider family as needs change. Specialist palliative care may become involved when needs are more complex, while many elements of a palliative approach can be incorporated into everyday paediatric care.
Earlier conversations and support can give families more time to understand what is happening, ask questions, consider what matters most and prepare for possible changes.
Professionals can make a significant difference by recognising the pressures families may be carrying, asking about their needs as well as their child, and helping them connect with appropriate practical, emotional and caregiver support.
Explore related resources in Carer & Family Wellbeing for information around caregiver stress, burnout and available support.
Support and information:
Explore trusted information, practical guidance and services that can support children, young people and their families.
External resources:
Links to external websites are provided for information and convenience. The Caring Conversations Project is not affiliated with or responsible for the content, services or availability of these external sites. Please refer to the original provider for the most current information.
Paediatric Society of New Zealand – Paediatric Palliative Care Clinical Network
Clinical guidance, education, network updates and professional learning for people involved in paediatric palliative care. Their education forum also offers regular sessions for healthcare professionals.
A Practical Guide to Palliative Care in Paediatrics – The Green Book
A comprehensive, practical guide for health professionals caring for infants, children and young people with life-limiting conditions. Developed for the Australian and New Zealand context, it covers symptom management, communication, psychosocial and family support, bereavement, practical care and wider cultural considerations. The current 4th edition is available as a free digital download.
Caring Conversations Project resources:
Coming soon: a practical Health Passport for children and young people with complex or serious conditions, alongside resources to support family-centred communication, care coordination, difficult conversations and caregiver wellbeing.
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