Edinburgh Napier University

  The aim was 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.