This therapeutic service offers individual specialised support to children and their families who have been referred to Francis House.

The non-directive approach will enable the child/adolescent to work through difficult and painful emotions relating to life-limiting conditions, pre-bereavement and death; and will support and facilitate the process of understanding, acceptance and growth for the family as a complete unit .

• Each child is offered one-hour sessions over a 6-8 week period.
• Eight hours per week is available for play therapy.
• We have a dedicated playroom within the hospice, which ensures privacy and confidentiality

REFERRAL PROCESS
Referrals can be made by the community team, bereavement support team, contacts, care team, community nurses, social service, GPs and parents.

An initial meeting and provisional assessment is undertaken to establish whether non-directive play therapy is the most appropriate form of support for the child/adolescent and his/her family.