Children’s Palliative Care Networks

Why network?
We know that networks can help the development of children and young people’s palliative care, this is also recognised in Government Policy such as Better Care: Better Lives.

1. What is a Network?
Managed local networks are defined in the NSF as: ‘linked groups of health professionals and organisations from primary, secondary and tertiary care, and social services and other services working together in a co-ordinated manner.’ A wide range of children's palliative care networks exist.  These include:

• Service focused, cutting across organisational boundaries
• Geographic, regionally based services
• Commissioning networks
• Clinician or practitioner networks

2. What are the aims and objectives?
Each network needs to develop their own aims and objectives, according to the type of network.  You may wish to consider whether the following are applicable:

• To improve quality in service standards.
• To improve commissioning.
• To promote partnership working.
• To share good practice.
• To build efficient and effective service delivery.
• To reduce practice variation.
• To facilitate improved performance monitoring.
• To improve user experience.
• To facilitate seamless service delivery.

3. Who are the key players?
Membership of the network should draw on the full range of local children's palliative care champions from across the whole sector of statutory and voluntary organisations, these may include:

• Commissioners of Children’s Services;
• Heads of Services;
• Paediatric Consultants with special interest in palliative care;
• Children Community Nurse team representatives;
• Children’s Disabilities Team representatives;
• Representation from local hospices and other voluntary organisations;
• Education representative;
• Parent representative;

4. Who chairs the network and organises meetings?
The network should identify a chair and vice-chair from the membership to organise the meetings and provide administrative support.

5. How often should we meet?
This depends on the aims and objectives of the network and the work plan for the network, we suggest that to maintain momentum the network should meet at least quarterly in the first year to ensure development and implementation of an action plan.

6. What’s our agenda?
Some networks have standing items on the agenda to ensure that members are aware of service developments across the whole sector, it may be helpful to link the agenda to the national strategy for children's palliative care.

7. Developing a Network workplan – what should you include?
You may find it helpful to link the workplan to the national strategy and consider:

• Promoting the understanding of CPC.
• Shaping services.
• Shaping systems (commissioning).
• Workforce development (education and training, resources).
  

8. What can you do if you don’t have the time or resources to set up a network?
Consider the benefits of membership of the network.  How costly will it be in terms of time and resources if a network is not developed?  If you can't find the time, can you support others in developing a network?  Can someone else from your organisation be released to join the network?  

Can ACT help support a network?  Could teleconferencing help reduce the time commitment?   What about an virtual-forum?  Can you join an existing network?  Are there existing networks that could include CPC in their considerations?

For more information about Children's Palliative Care Networks call ACT on 0117 922 1566 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it