Whether your child has recently received a diagnosis, you have been referred to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, or you simply want to understand how children’s hospice care works, we are here to help.
Below, you will find answers to the questions families ask us most often about eligibility, referrals, children’s palliative care and the care and support available from Noah’s Ark.
If you cannot find the information you need, please call our team on 020 8449 8877 or email noahs.referrals@nhs.net.
About children’s hospice care
What is a children’s hospice?
A children’s hospice provides specialist care and support for babies, children and young people living with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions.
Children’s hospice care focuses on helping children experience the best possible quality of life while also supporting their parents, siblings and wider family.
At Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, our support includes:
- Specialist clinical care
- Emotional and practical support from our Family Link team
- Specialist play
- Creative therapies
- Short breaks
- Family activities
- End-of-life care
- Bereavement support
Every family is different, so the care and support we provide is tailored to their individual circumstances.
Explore all of Noah’s Ark’s services.
What is children’s palliative care?
Children’s palliative care is specialist care for babies, children and young people living with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions.
It focuses on improving quality of life by:
- Managing pain and other symptoms
- Supporting emotional wellbeing
- Helping families spend meaningful time together
- Providing practical and clinical support
- Supporting the whole family throughout their journey
Palliative care does not only begin at the end of a child’s life. It can start from the point of diagnosis and continue alongside treatment for many years.
Read more about children’s hospice and palliative care.
Does a children’s hospice only provide end-of-life care?
No. Children’s hospices provide much more than end-of-life care.
Many children and families receive support from Noah’s Ark for several years. We help families make the most of everyday life through clinical care, therapies, family support, short breaks, activities and emotional wellbeing services.
When it is needed, we also provide specialist end-of-life care and bereavement support.
Is care from Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice free?
Yes. All care and support provided to families by Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice is completely free of charge.
Noah’s Ark is a charity, so we rely on donations and fundraising to make our services possible.
Eligibility for support
Who can receive support from Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice?
We support babies, children and young people living with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions from the point of diagnosis.
Our team considers each referral individually to understand the child’s condition, their care needs and the support their family may require.
You can find more detailed information on our referral criteria page.
What ages does Noah’s Ark support?
We accept referrals for babies, children and young people at any point before their 18th birthday.
Once referred, young people may continue to receive support from Noah’s Ark until their 25th birthday. Specialist clinical care is provided up to the age of 18.
We can also help young people and their families prepare for the transition to adult services.
If a child dies, we can continue supporting their family for up to three years and three months following their death.
Which areas does Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice cover?
We support children and families living in:
- Barnet
- Camden
- Enfield
- Haringey
- Islington
- Hertsmere in Hertfordshire
Referrals from outside our usual catchment area may be considered in exceptional circumstances. These decisions are made individually and in discussion with the lead children’s hospice for the family’s area.
Read the full information about our catchment area and referral criteria.
I am not sure whether my child is eligible. Should I still contact you?
Yes. Please contact us even if you are uncertain whether Noah’s Ark is the right service for your family.
Our team will talk through your child’s circumstances, answer your questions and explain whether we may be able to help. If Noah’s Ark is not the most appropriate service, we will do our best to direct you towards other suitable support.
You can also review our referral criteria before getting in touch.
Call us on 020 8449 8877 or email noahs.referrals@nhs.net.
Referrals to Noah’s Ark
How do I refer a child to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice?
A referral can be made by a family member or by a professional involved in the child’s care.
People who can make a referral include:
- Parents or carers
- Hospital consultants
- Community nurses
- GPs
- Social workers
- Teachers
- Other health or care professionals
Parental consent must be obtained before referring a child under the age of 16.
Visit our referrals page to learn more about the process or to make a referral.
Can I refer my own child?
Yes. Parents and carers are welcome to contact Noah’s Ark directly if they believe their child or family may benefit from our support.
Our referrals team can explain the process, answer your questions and help you understand what information will be needed.
You can find out how to make a referral, call 020 8449 8877 or email noahs.referrals@nhs.net.
When should a child be referred to a children’s hospice?
A child should be referred as early as possible following the diagnosis of a life-threatening or life-shortening condition.
Early referral can help families access emotional support, practical guidance and specialist care before a crisis develops. Children can receive palliative care alongside treatment from their existing hospital and community teams.
Read more about when and how to refer a child to Noah’s Ark.
Care and support from Noah’s Ark
Where does Noah’s Ark provide care?
Noah’s Ark provides care wherever children and families feel most comfortable. Depending on the child’s needs, care may be provided:
- At the family’s home
- In hospital
- In the community
- At The Ark, our children’s hospice building
Our team works with each family to decide where and how their care can best be delivered.
What services does Noah’s Ark provide?
Noah’s Ark provides a range of clinical, emotional, practical and therapeutic services for children and their families.
These include:
- Specialist clinical care
- Family Link support
- Specialist play
- Creative therapies
- Home Support Volunteers
- Family activities
- Sibling support
- Short breaks
- Perinatal support
- Support preparing for adult services
- Accessible family holidays
- End-of-life care
- Bereavement support
- Practical advice and signposting
Every family receives an individual care plan based on their needs, preferences and circumstances.
Explore all services for children and families.
Does Noah’s Ark support siblings?
Yes. Noah’s Ark provides dedicated support for the brothers and sisters of children with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions.
When a child has a serious condition, siblings can experience uncertainty, anxiety, sadness or changes to family life. We offer activities, groups, creative therapies and one-to-one support to help them understand and cope with what is happening.
Find out more about our support for siblings or read about why sibling support matters in children’s hospice care.
Can grandparents and other family members receive support?
Yes. Our family-centred approach recognises that grandparents and other close family members can also be deeply affected.
Where appropriate, we can provide emotional support, guidance, bereavement services and opportunities to take part in activities for the whole family.
Our Family Link team can help families understand what support may be available.
Does Noah’s Ark offer support during pregnancy or shortly after birth?
Yes. Our perinatal support service helps families when a serious or potentially life-shortening condition is identified during pregnancy or shortly after a baby is born.
Our team can work alongside maternity, neonatal and other healthcare professionals to provide emotional support, practical guidance and specialist care tailored to the family’s circumstances.
Practical questions about children’s hospice care
Will Noah’s Ark replace my child’s hospital or NHS team?
No. Noah’s Ark works alongside your child’s existing NHS and healthcare teams.
This may include hospital consultants, GPs, community nurses, therapists, social workers and other professionals involved in your child’s care.
By working together and sharing appropriate information, we aim to provide a coordinated approach that supports your child and family. Healthcare professionals can find further information in our professionals area.
Can families stay overnight at The Ark?
Overnight care may be available, depending on your child’s needs and personalised care plan.
Our team will discuss the available options with you and help determine what type of care is most appropriate for your family.
You can learn more about overnight stays and the facilities available at The Ark.
Does Noah’s Ark offer short breaks?
Yes. Short breaks can give children opportunities to enjoy activities and experiences while providing parents and carers with time to rest, spend time with other family members or manage everyday responsibilities.
Short breaks may take place at home or at The Ark as part of a child’s personalised clinical care plan.
The type and frequency of support will depend on your child’s needs and agreed care plan.
Can Noah’s Ark help with benefits and practical advice?
Yes. Our Family Link team can help families find appropriate practical and financial support.
This may include help or signposting relating to:
- Benefits applications
- Housing issues
- Blue Badges and taxi cards
- Financial support and charitable grants
- Local authority services
- Community organisations
- Services for siblings and family members
The team can also offer advocacy, emotional support and help communicating with education, healthcare and social care services.
End-of-life and bereavement care
What happens if my child needs end-of-life care?
Our specialist team will work closely with your family and the healthcare professionals involved in your child’s care.
We will listen to your child’s wishes, where possible, and respect your family’s preferences. Depending on your circumstances, end-of-life care may be provided:
- At home
- In hospital
- At The Ark
Our focus is on your child’s comfort and dignity while providing compassionate emotional, practical and clinical support for the whole family.
Find out more about end-of-life care from Noah’s Ark.
Can families spend time with their child after they have died?
Yes. Noah’s Ark may be able to support families who would like to spend time with their child after their death.
Our Butterfly Suite at The Ark provides dedicated accommodation where families can stay close to their child in a private, calm and non-clinical environment.
Learn more about care after a child’s death and the Butterfly Suite.
What support is available after a child dies?
Noah’s Ark can continue supporting families for up to three years and three months following a child’s death.
Bereavement support may include:
- One-to-one counselling
- Support groups and events
- Creative therapies for bereaved families
- Memory-making activities
- Remembrance events
- Support for siblings
- Support for parents, grandparents and close family members
- Practical guidance following a child’s death
Support is tailored to each family. Our team will talk to you about what feels most appropriate and helpful.
Explore Noah’s Ark’s bereavement support services.
Can a family receive bereavement support if their child was not previously supported by Noah’s Ark?
In some circumstances, yes. Families do not always need to have received care from Noah’s Ark before their child died to access bereavement support.
Eligibility will depend on factors including the child’s age, when they died and where the family lives.
Please read our bereavement referral criteria or contact our team to discuss your circumstances.
Contact Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice
How can I contact Noah’s Ark about care or a referral?
To speak to someone about children’s hospice care, eligibility or making a referral, please contact our team:
Telephone: 020 8449 8877
Email: noahs.referrals@nhs.net
Our team will answer your questions, explain the referral process and help you find the right support for your child and family.
You can also visit our referrals page for further information.
Still have a question?
It is completely understandable to have questions about children’s hospice care or to feel uncertain about whether your family is eligible for support.
Please contact us for a confidential conversation. There is no obligation to make a referral, and our team will be happy to listen, answer your questions and explain the support that may be available.
Call 020 8449 8877
Email noahs.referrals@nhs.net
Find out more about making a referral