We believe everyone deserves care that is both compassionate and fair — especially during life’s most difficult moments. No family should feel left out or unsupported. That’s why our work with children and families at the end of life is built on a strong foundation of health equity, inclusion, and personalised care.

This story is one we recently shared through the Equality Delivery System (EDS), which helps NHS organisations measure and improve how well they serve diverse communities.

Why this matters

Palliative care for children is about supporting the whole family with dignity, kindness, and choice. True equity means making sure those choices are available and meaningful for everyone — including families from ethnic minority backgrounds, those who don’t speak English as a first language, and families with additional needs such as disabilities.

How we deliver this care

Our approach is flexible and tailored to each family. Here’s how we make sure our care is inclusive and responsive:

• - Advanced Care Planning (ACP): created together with families, taking cultural and faith-based needs into account
• - Disability inclusion: ensuring learning and physical disabilities are recorded and care is adapted accordingly
• - Ethnicity and culture: discussed from the very beginning to provide culturally safe care
• - Spiritual sensitivity: support that respects each family’s beliefs and practices
• - Partnerships: working closely with hospices and spiritual leaders for joined-up care
• - Timely responses: sensitive to both medical needs and emotional readiness
• - Continuous improvement: through participation in the Child Death Review Panel

What’s next: listening and learning

We were proud to be rated as “Achieving with features of excelling” — but we know there’s always more we can do. Our next steps include:

• - Embedding advanced care planning so all staff are prepared, especially during critical times
• - Ongoing training focused on cultural awareness, disability inclusion, and trauma-informed care
• - Listening to families and using their feedback to shape our services
• - Strengthening partnerships with local hospices, community groups, and spiritual care providers