Through the Eyes of Children, Young People and Families: Evaluation of the Model of Care Delivered by WellChild Nurses

FUNDER

WellChild

VALUE

£73,626.74

COLLABORATORS

Professor Jane Coad and Children and Families Research Team

CTHER Coventry University

The WellChild team

South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust

The University of Hertfordshire

PROJECT TEAM

Linda Partridge (WellChild)

Professor Jane Coad (CFR)

David Widdas (South Warwickshire Foundation Trust)

Dr. Mark Whiting (University of Hertfordshire)

Nicky Ashley (CFR)

Joanne Kelly (CFR)

Charlotte Clowes (CFR)

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The WellChild Nurse has been developed by the WellChild charity to support children, young people and families with complex care needs who require specialist care, and is in many cases the key worker in meeting their specialist needs both in hospital and within their homes. The project carried out a longitudinal evaluation, underpinned by innovative multi-methods. Using a framework drawn on the participatory techniques of Appreciative Inquiry, the project has gained an in-depth understanding and evidence for the first time of the WellChild Nurses as key workers and how this role is perceived by children and their families.

RESEARCH IMPACT

The programme of WellChild Nurses has now grown, with a total of 17 posts being funded throughout the UK in 2014. A further six posts are to be funded in 2015, increasing the total number of WellChild posts to 24 across England, Scotland, and Wales.