Supporting children and families facing the death of a parent: part 2.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the views of children, parents and key stakeholders of a new bereavement support service for families where a parent is dying from cancer.


METHODS
A qualitative pre- and post-intervention evaluation design was used. Case study methods allowed multiple perspectives to be accessed so broadening the scope of the evaluation.


METHODS
A purposeful sample of six families was recruited from the community palliative care service. Each case study comprised a family, a health professional and the family support worker. Six key stakeholders also contributed data.


METHODS
Data gathering included individual and family group interviews, non-participant observation and interviews with nominated health professionals, key stakeholders and the family support worker. Analysis of pre- and post-intervention data were supported by QSR NVivo.


RESULTS
Children and families with complex and/or enduring needs benefited from the specialist expertise and interventions provided by this service.


CONCLUSIONS
Risk assessment procedures should be used to identify need and ensure limited resources are directed appropriately. Many children and families can be supported within the community drawing on their own social networks.
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Napier University, Edinburgh, UK. c.kennedy@napier.ac.uk
Catriona
C
Kennedy
Rosemary
R
McIntyre
Allison
A
Worth
Rhona
R
Hogg
D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care; D010290:Parents; D012944:Social Support