Very Special Kids House is Australia’s first hospice for children, providing respite and end-of-life care. The House is a unique place where parents can leave their sick child, knowing that the child will receive specialist care while the parents recharge their own batteries and spend quality time with their other children.
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Very Special Kids House is also a place where, if a child is approaching death (and it is not possible, for whatever reason for the child to die at home), the family can be together in a warm, loving environment, where they can be supported by professional staff and volunteers.
Up to eight children can be accommodated at the House at any one time and, if the parents want to stay close by, they can do so in the parent accommodation.
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Very Special Kids House is designed to be an extension of the family home – a place that is warm and welcoming for both children and parents. Most children come for respite and the length of stay varies from a weekend to two weeks. If a child is requiring end-of-life care and nearing the end of their life, there is no limit on the length of stay. While staying at the House, children and their families are also able to access massage and music therapy.
The House is staffed with registered and state enrolled nurses, mothercraft nurses, music therapists, trained carers, volunteers and staff with disability and end-of-life care experience. Nurses are on active night duty, and a doctor is on call 24 hours a day.
Use of Very Special Kids House and all other services are free to all Very Special Kids families. It costs $1.3 million per year to operate the House, which receives little government funding so relies almost entirely on donations from the public.
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An overview of Very Special Kids House:
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- Registered nurses on the premises 24 hours a day, doctors on 24 hour call
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- Programs are individualised to the child's need
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- Accommodation provided for eight children in separate bedrooms with shared ensuite facilities
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- Family accommodation is also provided in a separate building for up to three families
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- Versatile staff are able to provide creative play and activities for the children
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- The House contains a multi-sensory room (with lights, music and movement to help with relaxation and pain relief), a pool table, TV room, playroom, outdoor playground, sandpit and a barbecue area
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- A dining room allows the whole family to sit down together
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- Flexible family support is provided – some families may want to remain fully involved in their child’s care, others will prefer to take advantage of having a well earned rest
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