Service description

CAFSS enables you to talk to someone completely impartial who is not involved in your direct clinical care. The special therapeutic play we use with children and young people includes games, role-play, craft activities and storytelling. Our techniques involve exploring your experiences, with the help of a trained staff member.
We offer service users one-to-one confidential emotional support in a community setting. Sessions usually last 60 minutes and start on a weekly basis. This is reviewed regularly to ensure it meets the needs of each individual client.

The main aims of the support we offer are:

  • To give emotional support to a child/young person who is ill or disabled by offering a range of therapeutic activities.
  • To help parents, siblings and other family members adapt emotionally to changes in their family life.
  • To help parents and siblings meet the emotional needs of the child who is ill or disabled, without neglecting their own needs.
  • To offer care and support before and after death, if a child dies.

We are a community-based service and we visits clients in their home, school/college/nursery or family centre.

Referral criteria

CAFSS is available to any child or young person living with a life limiting, life threatening or chronic illness.
We also provide support for siblings and work closely with the family to support them as a unit.

Who to contact if you need an interpreter or information about disabled access

If you require an interpreter at the appointment please inform the service when the appointment is booked.