A child’s voice and preferences are vital to partnered decision making, as well as helps a child feel valued and empowered.

Children have the right to be supported:

  • To understand to the best of their ability their condition and care
  • To know what to expect and anticipate
  • To share their preferences and participate in decisions related to their health
  • To be involved in important decisions in meaningful ways, even when they are not the primary decision maker

 

 

  • Involving youth and children in their care can help them cope better with treatments and build trust with a healthcare environment and the teams supporting their health and care.
  • To meet needs, we need to know what those needs are.

Our team will listen to your child’s thoughts, feelings, and wishes, and involve them in decision-making as much as possible, taking into account their age, preference for participation and understanding. We work alongside a family and child to ensure care aligns with hopes, values and goals across their illness journey.

Participation supports children

  • Participation provides ways to:
    • Help children understand the situation
    • Support children to explore their preferences
    • Support children to take part in conversations
    • Respect children and honour their needs
  • Participation supports children’s adjustment to the situation, builds confidence, a sense of control, cooperation with treatments, and manages anxiety
  • Participation provides an opportunity to learn and grow with their care decisions
  • Participation with conversations provides the opportunity for children to process information and time to consider questions for the next discussion

Child and family resources