8 July 2026
Why Sibling Support Matters in Children's Hospice Care
When a child has a life-threatening or life-shortening condition, the impact extends far beyond the child receiving care. Parents, grandparents and wider family members are all affected, but one group is often overlooked: siblings. At Noah's Ark Children's Hospice, we believe children's hospice care should support the whole family. That includes brothers and sisters who may be navigating complex emotions, increased responsibilities and experiences that many of their peers cannot fully understand. Sibling support is a vital part of children's hospice care because it helps children build resilience, improve their emotional wellbeing and connect with others facing similar challenges.
What is Sibling Support in Children's Hospice Care?
Sibling support refers to the emotional, social and practical support provided to brothers and sisters of children with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions. While much of children's hospice care focuses on meeting the clinical and therapeutic needs of the child who is unwell, sibling support recognises that brothers and sisters are affected by a family's circumstances too.
At Noah's Ark Children's Hospice, sibling support includes:
Dedicated, age-appropriate sibling groups.
Creative and therapeutic support.
Specialist Play support.
1 to 1 volunteer support in the home.
Opportunities to meet other siblings in similar situations.
Safe spaces to talk about their experiences.
Activities designed to build confidence and friendships.
These services help siblings feel seen, heard and valued while ensuring they have opportunities to simply enjoy being children.
Why Do Siblings of Children who are Seriously Unwell Need Support?
Research consistently shows that siblings of children with complex health needs can experience unique emotional and practical challenges.
Many siblings experience:
Anxiety about their brother or sister's health.
Feelings of sadness, frustration or guilt.
Changes in family routines.
Less one-to-one time with parents.
Increased caring responsibilities.
Social isolation.
Difficulty explaining their experiences to friends and classmates.
Despite these challenges, siblings often become incredibly compassionate, mature and resilient young people. However, resilience should not be confused with a lack of need. Like any child facing difficult circumstances, siblings benefit from dedicated support and understanding. Without appropriate support, siblings can sometimes feel overlooked as attention naturally focuses on the child with the most significant clinical needs.
The Importance of a Whole-Family Approach
Children's hospice care is about much more than clinical services. It is about helping families live as fully as possible, create memories together and navigate challenges as a family unit. At Noah's Ark, we take a whole-family approach because we know that the wellbeing of each family member affects everyone else.
When siblings receive support, families often report:
Improved emotional wellbeing.
Stronger family relationships.
Better communication.
Increased confidence.
Reduced feelings of isolation.
Greater opportunities for positive family experiences.
Supporting siblings is not separate from supporting the child who is unwell. It is an essential part of delivering high-quality children's hospice care.
Giving Siblings a Voice
In February 2026, Noah's Ark Children's Hospice welcomed the Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, to The Ark in Barnet. During her visit, Dame Rachel met siblings who receive support through Noah's Ark's specialist sibling programmes and family activities. The visit highlighted the importance of listening directly to young people whose lives are shaped by a sibling's serious illness.
Among those sharing their experiences were Arthur, aged 14, and Myala, aged 11. Arthur's twin brother, Ray, experienced a brain bleed at birth which has affected his development. Noah's Ark has supported the family since 2012. Myala's brother, Montell, was born with Hydrocephalus and has complex needs requiring specialist care. Noah's Ark has supported the family since 2013. Both Arthur and Myala spoke about their experiences as siblings and the role Noah's Ark has played in helping them connect with others who understand the realities of family life when a child has significant clinical needs. Their stories demonstrate why sibling support services are so important. They provide opportunities for children to build friendships, share experiences and develop confidence in an environment where they feel understood.
What The Children's Commissioner Learned
Following the visit, Dame Rachel de Souza highlighted the importance of sibling support services in children's hospices. She described hearing directly from siblings about the support they receive through Noah's Ark's sibling groups and family events as a powerful reminder of the vital role these services play. Her visit also shone a light on a reality that families know all too well: siblings are deeply affected by serious childhood illness, yet their experiences are often underrepresented in conversations about healthcare and family support. By creating opportunities for siblings to share their experiences, children's hospices can help ensure their voices are heard by policymakers, professionals and the wider public.
Building Confidence, Connection and Resilience
One of the most valuable aspects of sibling support is helping children realise they are not alone. Many siblings tell us they have never met another child who truly understands their situation until they attend a sibling group or family event at Noah's Ark. These connections can have a lasting impact. Giving children opportunities to develop friendships, gain confidence and build supportive networks with others who understand the challenges they face. Whether through group activities, family events or therapeutic support, our sibling support creates opportunities for children to develop positive memories and experiences that belong to them.
Why Sibling Support Deserves Greater Recognition
Children's hospices across the UK provide essential care for children with life-threatening and life-shortening conditions. Yet the needs of siblings can sometimes receive less attention than other aspects of care. At Noah's Ark, we believe every child in a family deserves support. Siblings are not simply observers of a brother or sister's illness. They are living through the experience too. Their wellbeing matters, their voices matter and their futures matter. As our CEO, Sophie Andrews OBE said during the Children's Commissioner's visit, siblings face unique challenges and their needs are often overlooked. By investing in sibling support, we can help children develop confidence, build resilience and create positive childhood memories alongside others who understand their experiences. Because children's hospice care is about supporting families, not just patients. And when siblings are supported, families are stronger, more connected and better able to make the most of every day.
About Noah's Ark Children's Hospice
Noah's Ark helps babies, children and young people with life-threatening or life-shortening conditions, and their families, make the most of every day. Through expert care, emotional support, therapies, activities and family services, we help children enjoy life as children rather than patients, and families spend precious time together as families rather than carers. Our sibling support services are a vital part of that mission, ensuring every member of the family receives the care and support they need.
