Sharing best practice

Acorns  is committed to ensuring children and families receive the best possible care and support throughout the palliative care journey.

Acorns is always willing to share policies and practice where appropriate and to contribute to workgroups, committees and initiatives across the West Midlands.  Nationally Acorns has active participation in Children's Hospices UK; ACT; and Help the Hospices supporting work from siblings to audit, diversity and benchmarking and from user involvement and infection control to quality groups and transition.

Acorns regularly contribute to regional and national conferences and to publications.  Staff can also occasionally act as a 'guest speaker' to talk about Acorns services or broader palliative care issues.

Student placements

Acorns can often support student placements for students studying for relevant professional qualifications. Nursing, physiotherapy and social work placements are offered on a regular basis in liaison with local education providers. There is also scope for other professionals such as Art therapists to undertake placements if we are able to meet the supervision requirements.

To discuss this further please contact your local Acorns hospice as below:

Acorns in Birmingham (located in Selly Oak): call 0121 248 4850
Acorns in the Black Country (located in Walsall): call 01922 422500
Acorns for the Three Counties (located in Worcester): call 01905 767676

Work Experience

Acorns is unable to offer work experience placements at the hospices for schools and colleges. However if young people over 16 are able to commit time over a longer period they are welcome to apply to become volunteers.  Find out more about becoming a care volunteer at one of our hospices.