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Referral to Paediatric Palliative Care - A Decision Making Guideline Tool for Health Care Professionals
Supporting clinicians and families when timing matters
Paediatric palliative care works best when introduced at the earliest appropriate time and alongside existing care. Timely referral allows children, young people, and their families to access vital support throughout their care journey.
However, uncertainty in referral can limit the full benefits of paediatric palliative care reducing opportunities for complex medical decision-making, coordinated care, improved quality of life, and essential support for families. PPC is not about taking over care but working collaboratively alongside you and your team becoming partners in care.
‘Hoping for the best whilst planning for the rest’
The Decision Making Guideline Tool was created to support health professionals in recognising when referral may be most beneficial and to encourage earlier, more confident decision-making.
Why this tool was created
This reflective tool was created in response to consistent findings from literature, stakeholder consultations, expert input, and the lived experiences of families and health professionals all of which highlighted that referrals to paediatric palliative care are often delayed due to uncertainty among healthcare professionals and families. Developed over 18 months in collaboration with clinicians and families, the tool provides a clinically informed and practical framework to support timely, confident referral decisions and improve access to the benefits of paediatric palliative care.
It helps ensure that children, young people, and their families can access the full benefits of paediatric palliative care (including symptom management, family wellbeing, and coordinated decision-making) from the earliest appropriate time.
The tool emphasises that:
By using this tool, clinicians can feel more confident in making timely referrals that enhance care outcomes and strengthen support for families.
Who is this tool created to support?
The tool is designed for referring specialists such as:
It is also valuable for nurses and palliative care teams, complementing their expertise and supporting timely, collaborative referral across disciplines.
To support health care professionals in making timely and confident paediatric palliative care referrals, this tool offers a set of reflective questions designed to help explore and understand the child and family’s overall situation. These questions are organised into five key areas:
Working through these reflective questions helps health professionals decide whether referral should be considered now, soon or later, and ensures families are introduced to PPC in a way that supports choice and coordinated care.
Downloads
Choose the version of the tool that suits your practice:
Short Version of the Tool
A shorter version for those health care professionals with experience with referral to paediatric palliative care
Long Version of the Tool
A detailed guide with supporting information for those health care professionals with limited experience with paediatric palliative care
Download Long Form Here
A practical tool to support health professionals
We invite you to integrate this tool into your practice. Use it to guide conversations, support reflective thinking and ensure families have access to the right support at the right time.
We recognise and acknowledge those who are working through Sorry Business, Sad News, grief and bereavement and offer our condolences and support.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this website may contain images, videos and voices of people who have passed on. Some of the content and topics covered might also cause distress. You are welcome here, and we want you to feel safe and take care.
If you find that you need support please reach out to 13YARN on 13 92 76, Grief Australia, Grief Line on 1300 845 745, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Palliative Care Australia is located in Canberra. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the surrounding land and waters, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri Peoples and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that same respect and acknowledge the continuing cultures and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Australia.
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