about us
Very Special Kids provides counselling and support services to families caring for a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Following the death of a child families are supported through the bereavement support program.
We also operate Very Special Kids House an eight bed children’s hospice, providing planned and emergency respite and end-of-life care.
Very Special Kids was established in 1985 after two families recognised there was a need to support other families experiencing the loss and grief associated with having a child diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
Very Special Kids depends on the community and our fundraising activities for more than $3 million of ourannual income. All services are offered free-of-charge to families.
Your support will ensure Very Special Kids can go on providing counselling and support services and Very Special Kids House can continue to offer respite and end-of-life care to families facing what is one of life’s most difficult challenges.
For further information see frequently asked questions
Our key relationships
The Department of Health, Victoria provides recurrent funding of 34% of the cost of services provided by Very Special Kids.
The Victorian Paediatric Palliative Care Program (VPPCP) is an alliance/partnership between Southern Health (Monash Medical Centre), the Royal Children’s Hospital and Very Special Kids. Located at the Royal Children’s Hospital and funded by the Department of Health it is a state wide program supporting families who have a child/young person with a life-threatening condition who is treated in Victoria. The program based on a consultation and liaison model is staffed by medical and allied health professionals with expertise in the issues surrounding the delivery of paediatric palliative care services. VPPCP staff work closely with a child’s medical team, hospital staff and community agencies to ensure services are in place to meet the child and family’s needs.
latest news
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Start the New Year by becoming a volunteer
Posted 19 days ago
Fulfill your news year’s resolution of giving back to the community by becoming a Very Special Kids volunteer. We are proud of the hundreds of individuals who give so generously of their time to help us to support families. Very Special Kids provides two volunteer programs; the ‘Friends of Very Special Kids’ and the Family Support Volunteer Program.
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Posted 18 days ago
There are some exciting and rewarding opportunities to work for a ‘very special’ organisation. Click here to view our current employment opportunities.