Home support

Research shows that for many families it is important that palliative care, whether in the home or the hospice, is delivered in the locality close to family, friends and support networks. Palliative care delivered locally can promote resilience in families through the reinforcement of the child-family-community triangle.*

*Action for Children 2007 

Acorns supports the whole family

High quality of care in the location of your choice

Acorns Outreach Service allows us to offer a choice of where we deliver care for a child and support for the family. Care and support may be received in a hospice, through our Outreach teams in the community or both, and can also be delivered in conjunction with those outside of Acorns (e.g. community and acute services). This provides families with a range of support options to suit their needs.

What does the Outreach Service include?

  • Short breaks in the child’s home
  • Assisting with hospital discharge
  • Complementary therapy or physiotherapy in the home
  • Offering support in the home e.g. discussions with families to complete/amend care plans
  • Symptom control management in collaboration with the child’s own health professionals
  • We also, at times, can work with community nursing teams to support end of life care at home if the resources and support structures are available
A baby girl laying on a bed, wearing a pink ribbon, and wearing breathing device

Who is the Outreach Service provided by?

The service is led by an Outreach Nurse Lead at each hospice and provides a tailored package of clinical care. It is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team comprising registered children’s nurses, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and trained volunteers.

How does it benefit families?

In our experience the provision of specialist nursing care and advice in the home maximises the ability of the whole family to enjoy life, enabling them to function more effectively through their child’s illness. Outreach support can also reduce the feeling of social isolation for the child and their family and can offer extra support at difficult times to help families to cope, for example, in hospital settings or on discharge and return to the family home.

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Acorns Children's Hospice Website Logo

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