ACT - The Association for Children's Palliative Care

 ACT Children’s Palliative Care Training Grants are still available, but the deadline for applications is fast approaching. Apply now and make the most of this great opportunity to develop your skills without paying a penny!

If you are a parent or family member providing care for a child with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition, or if you deliver or support children’s palliative care services, you could be eligible for an ACT Children’s Palliative Care Training Grant, worth up to £250. 

ACT is the only organisation working across the UK to achieve a better quality of life and care for every life-limited child and their family. 

Becoming a member of ACT is free to families, and you will receive an Information Pack and the ACT for Families newsletter five times a year, packed with the latest information and news about children’s palliative care.  By joining ACT you will also help us when we campaign for improvements to children's palliative care - the more members we have, the stronger our voice.

You can download the latest edition of ACT for Families here

Join ACT now by filling in a short Family Membership form.

The International Children's Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) has published a Charter of Rights for children with life-limiting or life threatening conditions, which they wish to see accepted and ratified by governments and health departments around the world.

The ICPCN Charter is to be launched to coincide with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on 11 October 2008.  The theme of this day is "Palliative Care – A Human Right".

According to the United Nations Convention on the rights of the child, every child and young person has the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health.  Governments are also required to do everything in their power to ensure that they enjoy full and holistic development.  Children have the right to be protected against abuse, neglect and all forms of ill-treatment.  

In the spirit of the UN Convention, the ICPCN Charter sets out the international standard of support that is the right of all children living with life limiting and life threatening illnesses worldwide, and their families.

ACT has unveiled a ‘new look’ and new strapline in a bid to reach out to more families and children and to help raise awareness of the needs of children and young people whose lives are cut short by a health condition.    

ACT’s new brand will appear for the first time today (8 October 2008), and includes a new logo, new strapline and is complemented by a ‘call to action’ statement designed to unite ACT’s key stakeholders and strengthen communications.  The new look brand has been designed by Qube Design Associates, based in Bristol, in close consultation with ACT staff and a diverse group of experts and carers who work with or look after children and young people who are not expected to reach adulthood.

The new look ACT is brighter, softer and younger, and uses language to reach out and connect with families, children and young people, as well as the professionals who work with them.